Justin

Justin was a Varangian guard to Emperor Leo VI the Wise in the 9th century.

Biography

In 867, Justin was assigned as young Leo's head of security and grew to care for the boy. Feeling the tension between him and his father Emperor Basil, he began to teach Leo archery. However, when Leo demonstrated his new skill to Basil one day, Leo's mother Empress Eudocia and Justin watched aghast as Basil broke Leo's arm. Realizing that any care shown to the boy resulted in abuse from his father, Justin decided to remain stalwart towards Leo, even spiteful.

After that day, Justin was removed from Leo's security and tasked to show Leo's new guard Hytham about his own duties and the emperor's palace. Angry, he became hostile with Hytham, who questioned him about the change in security. To blow off steam, Justin offered to spar with Hytham, who agreed. While sparring, Justin was questioned more about his thoughts on Leo before ending the match. Irritated, Justin showed Hytham the palace's children's wing and met with Leo, his tutor Theodore, and his nurse Anna. Justin left him to become accompanied with Leo's circle.

However, Justin returned that night when he heard noise from Leo's room and met Hytham outside the room. Wanting to check on Leo, he was told by Hytham to meet with the incoming soldiers while Hytham checked on Leo alone. Days after the viper incident, Justin accompanied Hytham and Leo to the boy's riding lesson. Justin kept outright insulting Leo reluctantly and was confronted by Hytham about it. He retorted that the boy needed to learn and that Hytham must stop protecting Leo.

The next morning, Justin saw that a fellow guard Steros was missing and asked Hytham about him, but Hytham avoided his questions and he left the palace angry. Justin went on his way to meet an Order of the Ancients representative who was threatening him with Anna's fate. The man demanded that Justin swear loyalty to the emperor's plan, but he refused and "answered" by killing the Order member instead. He saw another man and woman from the Order come to face him but was quickly saved by the Hidden Ones Basim Ibn Ishaq and his Acolyte Hytham. Upon their reveal, Justin asked why they followed him. When they revealed their suspicions, he revealed that his callousness was a front to protect Leo from his father. However, when all three realized that Leo was left alone, Justin was told to check on his friend while the Hidden Ones sped back to the palace.

After the Order's failed assassination attempt in the children's wing, Justin arrived back to the palace after checking on Leo. After a few days, he saw a bruised Hytham, who apologized for his early judgment. Justin also apologized for his cruel nature towards Leo. Hytham advised Justin to tell Leo the truth, which he considered, and also offered him a place to work with the Hidden Ones. Before leaving, Justin promised to spar with Hytham soon as the Hidden One agreed after he healed from his wounds.

While Hytham and Thyra, the Eagle Clan's leader and Varangian guard to the Empress, prepared for the emperor's horse race at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, Justin accompanied both Leo and Hytham to the stables, where he was encouraged to tell Leo the truth and mend their relationship. While Hytham stood by, Justin helped Leo ride his horse and spend time together. The next day, Justin and the Varangian guards flanked the emperor's family as they arrived at the Hippodrome. He later patrolled the Hippodrome for any possible attackers.

During the emperor's race, the Order struck again while Justin fought one of the attackers at the Hippodrome. Victorious, he followed his allies after a woman who had kidnapped Leo. Outside, they arrived at a closed alley away from the crowd. While Justin and his allies held ready, the Order and their leader Isaac stood their ground and attacked them. Altogether, they killed most of the Order except for one warrior who chased to recapture Leo. Justin sped up and protected Leo from the man, ultimately killing him. Lauded as a hero, Justin went back to protecting and caring for Leo while the Hidden Ones left after their duty had been accomplished.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: The Golden City