Altaïr stood once more within the library.He felt whole.His body bore no mark of the blade that had pierced him moments before. No pain. No wound. No scar. The stone beneath his feet was solid, unchanged, as though nothing had happened at all.He looked down at his hands, then back at the Mentor.
"Wait…" Altaïr said, his voice unsteady. "I am alive. But how? I was—"
Al Mualim raised a hand, silencing him."I showed you what I wished to show you," the Mentor said calmly. "How it was done does not matter."Altaïr searched his face, confused, unsettled."You should be killed for what you have done," Al Mualim continued. "But that would be a waste of your talents. And I have a punishment far worse than death."Altaïr straightened."What is it?" he asked.
"You are stripped of all rank," Al Mualim said. "You are no more than a child who has only just begun his journey as an Assassin."
"Please, Master—"
"Do you remember what we fight for, my child?" Al Mualim asked.
"Peace," Altaïr answered. "Peace in all things."
"Yes," the Mentor said. "Within all things. Within ourselves. And you have yet to find inner peace. It shows clearly in your actions."Altaïr hesitated."Were you not the one who taught us that nothing is true and everything is permitted?" he asked.Al Mualim's expression did not change.
"You are not wise enough to understand the true meaning of those words," he said. "They do not grant you the right to do as you wish. They demand understanding. Discipline. Wisdom you do not yet possess, Altaïr."Silence followed.
"Then what is to become of me?" Altaïr asked.
"I give you a chance to redeem yourself," Al Mualim replied. "You will prove that you deserve the Creed. From this moment on, you will receive no assistance. Whatever you do, you will do alone."
Altaïr lowered his gaze."What must I do?" he asked. "Who must I kill?"
"There is a traitor among us," the Mentor said. "Find him. Bring him here alive."
"What else do I know of him?""That is all," Al Mualim said. "Carve your own path. May God guide you to it."Altaïr turned and left the library.The word spread through Masyaf faster than fire upon oil.By the time Altaïr stepped into the courtyard, everyone already knew. Eyes followed him wherever he went. Whispers trailed behind him like shadows. Those who once bowed now stood taller in his presence.Children laughed.Men who had once stood beneath him now issued orders he could not refuse.For the first time in his life, Altaïr said nothing.This punishment cut deeper than death ever could. To a warrior, honor mattered more than life itself.He buried the humiliation and began his work.Abbas was the first he sought.Abbas had always lingered near the gates. He watched who entered and who left. If anyone knew of unusual movements, it would be him."Have you noticed anyone behaving differently?" Altaïr asked. "You see all who pass through the citadel."Abbas smiled faintly."So," he said, "Altaïr stands alone now and seeks help."
"Answer the question."Altair says
I do not answer to novices," Abbas replied.Altaïr's hand moved before thought could stop it. His blade rose, pressing lightly against Abbas's throat."My blade still speaks for me," Altaïr said. "Now answer."Abbas did not flinch."Put it down," he said calmly. "No one fears you now. I speak only because the Master sent you. Persist, and you will find yourself in greater trouble."Altaïr hesitated.Then he lowered the blade.Abbas nodded. "Many pass through these gates. You must be more specific."Altaïr thought for a moment."When we departed for Solomon's Temple," he said, "the plan was made shortly before our departure. Three days ago. Between the evening prayer and the first watch of the night."Abbas considered this."Hm. Between those hours, only three men entered the citadel," he said. "Few travel at night without reason.""Tell me their names," Altaïr said.Abbas spoke them.Without another word, Altaïr turned and left.As he walked, a single thought took hold of him.
At Solomon's Temple, we encountered Templars.
Which means one of them must have warned them.
And if that were true, then the traitor could only be one of the three.