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Assassin's Creed Revelations PDF Free Download

Assassin's Creed Revelations PDF free Download. Think more deeply and widely.

TableofContents
TitlePage
CopyrightPage

PARTI
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY-FOUR
TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY-SEVEN
TWENTY-EIGHT
TWENTY-NINE
THIRTY
THIRTY-ONE
THIRTY-TWO
THIRTY-THREE
THIRTY-FOUR
THIRTY-FIVE
THIRTY-SIX
THIRTY-SEVEN
THIRTY-EIGHT
THIRTY-NINE
FORTY
FORTY-ONE
FORTY-TWO
FORTY-THREE
FORTY-FOUR
FORTY-FIVE
FORTY-SIX
FORTY-SEVEN
FORTY-EIGHT
FORTY-NINE
FIFTY
FIFTY-ONE
FIFTY-TWO
FIFTY-THREE
FIFTY-FOUR
FIFTY-FIVE
FIFTY-SIX
FIFTY-SEVEN

PARTII

FIFTY-EIGHT
FIFTY-NINE
SIXTY
SIXTY-ONE
SIXTY-TWO
SIXTY-THREE
SIXTY-FOUR
SIXTY-FIVE
SIXTY-SIX
SIXTY-SEVEN
SIXTY-EIGHT
SIXTY-NINE
SEVENTY
SEVENTY-ONE
SEVENTY-TWO
SEVENTY-THREE
SEVENTY-FOUR
SEVENTY-FIVE
SEVENTY-SIX
SEVENTY-SEVEN
SEVENTY-EIGHT

PARTIII
SEVENTY-NINE
EIGHTY
EIGHTY-ONE
EIGHTY-TWO
EIGHTY-THREE
EIGHTY-FOUR
EIGHTY-FIVE
EIGHTY-SIX
EIGHTY-SEVEN
EIGHTY-EIGHT
EIGHTY-NINE

NINETY

NINETY-ONE

NINETY-TWO



LISTOFCHARACTERS

GLOSSARYOFFOREIGNTERMS

Acknowledgements

AcetitlesbyOliverBowden

SHOOTTOKILL

“Youwillnotleavethisplacealive!”thecaptainbawled,firingagain.Thistime,

theboltstuckharmlesslyinawoodendoorframe,whichEziohadducked

behind.Buttherewasverylittlewrongwiththecaptain’sshooting.Sofar,Ezio

hadbeenlucky.Hehadtogetaway,andfast.Twomoreboltssangpasthim.

“There’snowayout!”thecaptaincalledafterhim.“Youmightaswellturn

andfaceme,youpitifulolddog.”Hefiredagain.

Eziodrewabreathandleapttocatchholdofthelintelofanotherdoorway,

swinginghimselfupsothathewasabletogetontotheflatclayroofofa

dwelling.Heranacrossittotheothersideasanotherboltwhistledpasthisear.

“Standyourgroundanddie,”holleredthecaptain.“Yourtimehascome,and

youmustacceptit,evenifitisfarawayfromyourwretchedkennelinRome!So

comeandmeetyourkiller!”

Eziocouldseewheresoldierswererunningaroundtothebackofthevillage,

tocutoffhislineofretreat.Buttheyhadleftthecaptainisolated,exceptforhis

twosergeants,andhisquiverofboltswasempty.

Thevillagershadscatteredanddisappearedlongsince.

Ezioduckedbehindthelowwallsurroundingtheroof,unstrappedhisbags

fromhisback,andslippedthepistolharnessontohisrightwrist.

“Whywillyounotquit?!”thecaptainwascalling,drawinghissword.

Eziostood.“Ineverlearnedhow,”hecalledbackinaclearvoice,raisinghis

gun.

AcetitlesbyOliverBowden

ASSASSIN’SCREED:RENAISSANCE

ASSASSIN’SCREED:BROTHERHOOD

ASSASSIN’SCREED:THESECRETCRUSADE

ASSASSIN’SCREED:REVELATIONS

THEBERKLEYPUBLISHINGGROUP

PublishedbythePenguinGroup

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imaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,business

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ASSASSIN’SCREED®REVELATIONS

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AnAceBook/publishedbyarrangementwithPenguinBooksLtd.

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PRINTINGHISTORY

Acepremiumedition/December2011

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logoaretrademarksofUbisoftEntertainmentintheU.S.and/orothercountries.

TheDivineComedy:InfernobyDante,translatedandeditedbyRobinKirkpatrick(PenguinClassics2006).

Translationandeditorialmattercopyright©RobinKirkpatrick,2006.Reproducedbypermissionof

PenguinBooksLtd.

TheDivineComedy:PurgatoriobyDante,translatedandeditedbyRobinKirkpatrick(PenguinClassics

2007).Translationandeditorialmattercopyright©RobinKirkpatrick,2007.Reproducedbypermissionof

PenguinBooksLtd.

TheDivineComedy:ParadisobyDante,translatedbyRobinKirkpatrick(PenguinClassics2007).

Translationandeditorialmattercopyright©RobinKirkpatrick,2007.Reproducedbypermissionof

PenguinBooksLtd.

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PARTI

Atonepointmidwayonourpathinlife,

Icamearoundandfoundmyselfnowsearching

throughadarkwood,therightwayblurredandlost.

Howharditistosaywhatthatwoodwas,

awilderness,savage,brute,harshandwild.

Onlytothinkofitrenewsmyfear!

–DANTE,INFERNO

ONE

Aneaglesoared,highinthehard,clearsky.

Thetraveler,dusty,batteredfromtheroad,drewhiseyesfromit,pulled

himselfupandoveralow,roughwall,andstoodmotionlessforamoment,

scanningthescenewithkeeneyes.Theruggedsnowcappedmountainsfencedin

thecastle,protectingitandenclosingitasitrearedonthecrestofitsownheight,

thedomedtowerofitskeepmirroringthelesserdomeoftheprisontower

nearby.Ironrockslikeclawsclungtothebasesofitssheergreywalls.Notthe

firsttimehe’dseenit—adayearlierhe’dcaughthisfirstglimpse,atdusk,from

apromontoryhe’dclimbedamilewest.Builtasifbysorceryinthisimpossible

terrain,atonewiththerocksandcragsitjoinedforceswith.

He’darrivedathisgoal—atlast.Aftertwelvewearymonthsonthejourney.

Andsuchalongjourney—thewaysdeepandtheweathersharp.

Crouching,justincase,andkeepingstillasheinstinctivelycheckedhis

weapons,thetravelerkeptwatching.Anysignofmovement.Any.

Notasoulonthebattlements.Scudsofsnowtwistinginacuttingwind.But

nosignofaman.Theplaceseemeddeserted.Ashe’dexpectedfromwhathe’d

readofit.Butlifehadtaughthimthatitwasalwaysbesttomakesure.Hestayed

still.

Notasoundbutthewind.Then—something.Ascraping?Tohisleftaheadof

him,ahandfulofpebblesskittereddownabareincline.Hetensed,roseslightly,

headupbetweenduckedshoulders.Thenthearrowwhackedintohisright

shoulder,throughthebodyarmorthere.

Hestaggeredalittle,grimacinginpainashishandwenttothearrow,raising

hishead,lookinghardattheskeinofariseintherocks—asmallprecipice,

maybetwentyfeethigh—whichrosebeforethefrontofthecastleandservedas

anaturalouterbailey.Onitsridgetherenowappearedamaninadullredtunic

withgreyoutergarmentsandarmor.Heboretheinsigniaofacaptain.Hisbare

headwasclose-shaven,andascarsearedhisface,acrossfromrightdowntoleft.

Heopenedhismouthinanexpressionthatwaspartsnarl,partsmileoftriumph,

showingstuntedanduneventeeth,brownlikethetombstonesinanunkempt

graveyard.

Thetravelerpulledatthearrow’sshaft.Thoughthebarbedheadsnaggedon

thearmor,ithadonlypenetratedthemetal,andthepointhadscarcelypenetrated

hisflesh.Hesnappeditofftheshaftandthrewitaside.Ashedidsohesawa

hundredandmorearmedmen,similarlydressed,halberdsandswordsready,line

upalongthecrestoneithersideoftheshaven-headedcaptain.Helmetswith

noseguardshidtheirfaces,buttheblackeaglecrestsontheirtunicstoldthe

travelerwhotheywere,andheknewwhathecouldexpectfromthemifthey

tookhim.

Washegettingold,tohavefallenintoatrapsosimple?Buthe’dtakenevery

precaution.

Andithadn’tsucceededyet.

Hesteppedback,readyforthemastheypoureddowntotheruggedplatform

ofgroundhestoodon,fanningouttosurroundhim,keepingthelengthoftheir

halberdsbetweenthemselvesandtheirprey.Hecouldsensethatdespitetheir

numbers,theyfearedhim.Hisreputationwasknown,andtheywererighttobe

wary.

Hegaugedthehalberdheads.Double-type:axeandpike.

Heflexedhisarmsandfromhiswristshistwolean,grey,deadlyhidden-

bladessprang.Bracinghimself,hedeflectedthefirstblow,sensingthatithad

beenhesitant—didtheywanttotrytotakehimalive?Thentheystarteddigging

athimfromallsideswiththeirweapons,tryingtobringhimtohisknees.

Hewhirled,andwithtwocleanmovementsslicedthroughthehaftsofthe

nearesthalberds,seizingtheheadofoneasitflewthroughtheair,beforeit

couldfalltoearth;andtakingthestumpofitshaftinhisfist,heburiedthe

axebladeinthechestofitsformerowner.

Theyclosedinonhimthen,andhewasjustintimetostooplowasarushof

airsignaledthepassageofaswungpikeasitsickledoverhim,missinghisbent

backbyaninch.Heswungroundsavagelyandwithhisleft-handhidden-blade

hackeddeepintothelegsoftheattackerwho’dstoodbehindhim.Withahowl,

themanwentdown.

Thetravelerseizedthefallenhalberd,whichamomentearlierhadalmost

endedhim,andswiveleditroundintheair,slicingthehandsoffanotherofhis

assailants.Thehandsarchedthroughtheair,thefingerscurledasifbeseeching

mercy,aplumeofbloodlikearedrainbowcurvetrailingbehindthem.

Thatstoppedthemforamoment,butthesemenhadseenworsesightsthan

that,andthetravelerhadonlyasecond’srespitebeforetheywereclosingagain.

Heswungthehalberdagainandleftitsbladedeepintheneckofamanwho,an

instantbefore,hadbeenmovinginforthekill.Thetravelerletgoofitspoleand

retractedhishidden-bladesinoneactioninordertofreehishandstoseizea

sergeantwieldingabroadsword,whomhethrewbodilyintoaknotofhistroops,

seizinghisswordfromhim.Hehefteditsweight,feelinghisbicepstenseashe

tookadoublegripandraiseditjustintimetocleavethehelmetofanother

halberdier,thistimecomingfromhisrearleftquarter,hopingtoblindsidehim.

Theswordwasgood.Betterforthisjobthanthelightscimitarathisside,

acquiredonhisjourney.Andthehidden-bladesforclosework.Theyhadnever

lethimdown.

Moremenwerestreamingdownfromthecastle.Howmanywouldittaketo

overpowerthisloneman?Theycrowdedhim,buthewhirledandjumpedto

confusethem,seekingfreedomfromtheirpressbyhurlinghimselfovertheback

ofoneman,findinghisfeet,bracinghimself,deflectingasword’sblowwiththe

hardmetalbraceronhisleftwrist,andturningtodrivehisownswordintothat

attacker’sside.

Butthen—amomentarilylull.Why?Thetravelerpaused,gettinghisbreath.

Therewasatimewhenhewouldnothaveneededtogethisbreath.Helooked

up.Stillfencedinbythetroopsingreychainmail.

Butamongthem,thetravelersuddenlysawanotherman.

Anotherman.Walkingbetweenthem.Unobserved,calm.Ayoungmanin

white.Cladasthetravelerwas,otherwise,andwearingthesamecowloverhis

head,thehoodpeaked,ashiswas,toasharppointatthefront,likeaneagle’s

beak.Thetraveler’slipspartedinwonder.Allseemedsilent.Allseemedatrest,

exceptfortheyoungmaninwhite,walking.Steadily,calmly,undismayed.

Theyoungmanseemedtowalkamongthefightinglikeamanwouldwalk

throughafieldofcorn—asifitdidnottouchoraffecthimatall.Wasthatthe

samebucklefasteninghisgear,thesameastheonethetravelerwore?Withthe

sameinsignia?Theinsigniathathadbeenbrandedonthetraveler’s

consciousnessandhislifeforoverthirtyyears—justassurelyas,longago,his

ringfingerhadbeenbranded?

Thetravelerblinked,andwhenheopenedhiseyes,thevision—ifthatwas

whatithadbeen—haddisappeared,andthenoise,thesmells,thedanger,were

back,allaroundhim,closingonhim,rankuponrankofanenemyheknewat

lastthathecouldnotovercomeorescapefrom.

Butsomehowhedidnotfeelsoalone.

Notimetothink.Theywereclosinginhard,asscaredastheywereangry.

Blowsrained,toomanytofendoff.Thetravelerfoughthard,tookdownfive

more,ten.Buthewasfightingahydrawithathousandheads.Abigswordsman

cameupandbroughtatwenty-poundbladedownonhim.Heraisedhisleftarm

tofenditoffwiththebracer,turninganddroppinghisownheavyswordashe

didsotobringhisright-handhidden-bladeintoplay.Buthisattackerwaslucky.

Themomentumofhisblowwasdeflectedbythebracer,butitwasstilltoo

powerfultoglanceoffcompletely.Itslidtowardthetraveler’sleftwristand

madecontactwiththeleft-handhidden-blade,snappingitoff.Atthesame

moment,thetraveler,caughtoffbalance,stumbledonalooserockathisfeetand

turnedhisankle.Hecouldnotstophimselffromfallingfacedownontothestony

ground.Andtherehelay.

Abovehim,thecircleofmenclosedin,keepingthelengthoftheirhalberds

betweenthemselvesandtheirquarry,stilltense,stillscared,notyetdaringtobe

triumphant.Butthepointsoftheirpikesmadecontactwithhisback.Onemove,

andhe’dbedead.

Andhewasnotreadyforthat,yet.

Thecrunchofbootsonrock.Amanapproaching.Thetravelerturnedhishead

slightlytoseetheshaven-headedcaptainstandingoverhim.Thescarwaslivid

acrosshisface.Hebentcloseenoughforthetravelertosmellhisbreath.

Thecaptaindrewthetraveler’shoodbackjustenoughtoseehisface.He

smiledashisexpectationwasconfirmed.

“Ah,theMentorhasarrived.EzioAuditoredaFirenze.We’vebeenexpecting

you—asyouhavenodoubtrealized.Mustbequiteashocktoyou,toseeyour

Brotherhood’soldstrongholdinourhands.Butitwasboundtohappen.Forall

yourefforts,wewereboundtoprevail.”

Hestooderect,turnedtothetroopsencirclingEzio,twohundredstrong,and

snappedoutanorder.“Takehimtotheturretcell.Manaclehimfirst,and

strongly.”

TheypulledEziotohisfeetandhastily,nervously,boundhimfast.

“Justashortwalkandalotofstairs,”thecaptainsaid.“Andthenyou’dbetter

pray.We’llhangyouinthemorning.”



Highabovethem,theeaglecontinueditssearchforprey.Noonehadaneyefor

it.Foritsbeauty.Itsfreedom.

TWO

Theeaglestillwheeledinthesky.Apalebluesky,bleachedbythesun,though

thesunwasalittlelower.Thebirdofprey,adarksilhouette,turningandturning,

butwithpurpose.Itsshadowfellonthebarerocksfarbelow,tornjaggedby

themasitpassedover.

Eziowatchedthroughthenarrowwindow—nomorethanagashinthethick

stone—andhiseyeswereasrestlessasthemovementsofthebird.Histhoughts

wererestless,too.Hadhetraveledsofarandforsolong,onlyforitalltocome

tothis?

Heclenchedhisfists,andhismusclesfelttheabsenceofthehidden-blades,

whichhadforsolongstoodhiminsuchgoodstead.

Buthehadanideaofwherethey’dstowedhisweapons,afterthey’d

ambushedhimandoverpoweredhimandbroughthimhere.Agrimsmile

formedonhislips.Thosetroops,theoldenemy—howsurprisedthey’dbeenthat

suchanoldlioncouldstillhavesomuchfightinhim.

Andheknewthiscastle.Fromchartsanddiagrams.Hehadstudiedthemso

wellthattheywereprintedonhismind.

Butherehewas,inacellinoneofthetopmosttowersofthegreatfortressof

Masyaf,thecitadelthathadoncebeenthestrongholdoftheAssassins,long

sinceabandoned,andnowfallentotheTemplars.Herehewas—alone,unarmed,

hungry,andthirsty,hisclothesgrimyandtorn,awaitingeverymomentthe

footfallofhisexecutioners.Butnotabouttogoquietly.Heknewwhythe

Templarswerethere;hehadtostopthem.

Andtheyhadn’tkilledhimyet.

Hekepthiseyesontheeagle.Hecouldseeeveryfeather,everypinion,the

fannedrudderofthetail,speckledblack-brownandwhite,likehisownbeard.

Thepurewhitewingtips.

Hethoughtback.Hetracedtheroutethathadbroughthimthere—tothis.

Othertowers,otherbattlements.LiketheonesatViana,fromwhichhehad

flungCesareBorgiatohisdoom.ThathadbeenintheyearofOurLord1507.

Howlongagowasthat?Fouryears.Itmightaswellhavebeenfourcenturies,it

seemedsodistant.Andinthemeantime,othervillains,otherwould-bemasters

oftheworld,hadcomeandgone,insearchoftheMystery,insearchofthe

Power,andforhim,aprisoneratlast,thebattletocounterthemhadgoneon.

Thebattle.Hiswholelife.

Theeaglewheeledandturned,itsmovementsconcentrated.Eziowatchedit,

knowingthatithadlocatedpreyandwasfocusingonit.Whatlifecouldtherebe

downthere?Butthevillagethatsupportedthecastle,crouchedlowandunhappy

initsshadow,wouldhavelivestock,andevenascrapofcultivatedland

somewherenearby.Agoat,maybe,downthereamongthetumbleofgreyrocks

thatlitteredthelow,surroundinghills;eitherayoungone,tooinexperienced,or

anoldone,tootired,oronethathadbeeninjured.Theeagleflewagainstthe

sun,itssilhouettemomentarilyblottedoutbytheincandescentlight;andthen,

tighteningitscircle,ithung,poised,atlast,hangingthereinthevastbluearena,

beforeitswoopeddown,crashingthroughtheairlikeathunderbolt,andoutof

sight.

Ezioturnedawayfromthewindowandlookedaroundthecell.Abed,hard

darkwood,justplanksonit,nobedding,astool,andatable.Nocrucifixonthe

wall,andnothingelseexcepttheplainpewterbowlandspoonwhichcontained

thestill-untastedgruelthey’dgivenhim.That,andawoodenbeakerofwater,

alsountasted.Forallhisthirstandhunger,Eziofeareddrugsthatmightweaken

him,renderhimpowerlesswhenthemomentcame.Anditwasalltoopossible

thattheTemplarswouldhavedruggedthefoodanddrinktheygavehim.

Heturnedaroundinthenarrowcell,buttheroughstonewallsgavehim

neithercomfortnorhope.Therewasnothingherehecouldusetoescape.He

sighed.TherewereotherAssassins,othersintheBrotherhoodwhoknewofhis

mission,whohadwantedtoaccompanyhim,even,despitehisinsistencethathe

travelalone.Perhaps,whennonewscame,theywouldtakeupthechallenge.

Butthen,perhaps,itwouldbetoolate.

Thequestionwas,howmuchdidtheTemplarsalreadyknow?Howmuchof

thesecretdidtheyalreadyhaveintheirpossession?



Hisquest,whichhadnowcometosuchanabrupthaltatthemomentofits

fruition,hadbegunsoonafterhisreturntoRome,wherehehadbidfarewellto

hiscompanions,LeonardodaVinciandNiccolòMachiavelli,onhisforty-eighth

birthday,MidsummerDay.NiccolòwastoreturntoFlorence,Leonardoto

Milan.Leonardohadspokenoftakingupapressingofferofmuch-needed

patronagefromFrancis,heirapparenttothethroneofFrance,andaresidencein

Amboise,ontheRiverLoire.Atleast,thatwaswhathislettershadrevealedto

Ezio.

Eziosmiledatthememoryofhisfriend.Leonardo,whosemindwasever

teemingwithnewideasthoughitalwaystookhimawhiletogetaroundtothem.

Hethoughtruefullyofthehidden-blade,whichhadbeenshatteredinthefight

whenthey’dambushedhim.Leonardo—howhemissedhim!—theonemanhe

couldhavereallytrustedtomendit.ButatleastLeonardohadsenthimtheplans

he’dmadeforanewdevice,whichhecalledaparachute.Eziohadhadit

constructedbackinRome,anditwaspackedwithhiskit,andhedoubtedifthe

Templarswouldmakemuchsenseofit.Hewouldputittogooduseassoonas

hegotachance.

Ifhegotachance.

Hesteeledhimselfagainstdarkthoughts.

Buttherewasnothingtodo,nomeansofescape,untiltheycametogethim,

tohanghim.Hewouldhavetoplanwhattodothen.Heimaginedthat,asso

ofteninthepast,hewouldhavetoextemporize.Inthemeantime,he’dtrytorest

hisbody.Stillfit,he’dmadesureofthatintrainingbeforethisjourney,andthe

journeyitselfhadhardenedhim.Buthewasglad—eveninthesecircumstances

—ofthechancetorestafterthatfight.



Ithadallstartedwithaletter.

UnderthebenevolenteyeofPopeJuliusII,whohadaidedhiminhis

vanquishingoftheBorgiafamily,Eziohadrebuiltandrestructuredthe

Assassins’BrotherhoodinRomeandestablishedhispowerbasethere.

Forawhileatleast,theTemplarswereinabeyance,andEziolefttherunning

ofoperationsinthecapablehandsofhissisterClaudia;buttheAssassins

remainedvigilant.TheyknewthattheTemplarswouldregroup,secretly,

elsewhere,insatiableintheirquestfortheinstrumentsbywhichtheycouldat

lastcontroltheworldinaccordancewiththeirsombertenets.

Theywerebestedforthemoment,butthebeastwasnotdead.

Eziodrewcomfortandsatisfactionfromthefact—andhesharedthisdark

knowledgewithMachiavelliandLeonardoalone—thattheAppleofEden,

whichhadfallenintohiscare,andwhichhadcausedsomuchanguishanddeath

inthebattleforitspossession,wasburiedandhiddendeepinthevaultsbelow

theChurchofSanNicolainCarcere,inasecretsealedroomwhoselocationthey

hadmarkedonlywiththesacredsymbolsoftheBrotherhood—whichonlya

futureAssassinwouldbeabletodiscern,letalonedecipher.ThegreatestPiece

ofEdenwassafelyconcealedfromtheambitiousgraspoftheTemplars—as

Eziohoped,forever.

AfterthedamagewroughttotheBrotherhoodbytheBorgias,therehadbeen

muchtoretrieve,muchtoputinorder,andtothistaskEziohaddevotedhimself,

uncomplainingly,althoughhewasfarmoreinclinedtoopenairandactionthan

toporingoverpapersindustyarchives.Thatwasajobmoresuitedtohislate

father’ssecretary,Giulio,ortothebookishMachiavelli;butMachiavelliwas

busycommandingtheFlorentinemilitiathesedays,andGiuliowaslongdead.

Still,Ezioreflected,ifhehadn’tsaddledhimselfwiththeresponsibilityfor

whatwastohimadrearytask,hemightneverhavefoundtheletter.Andif

anotherhad,thatpersonmightnothaveguesseditssignificance.

Theletter,whichhe’dfoundinaleathersatchel,brittlewithage,wasfrom

Ezio’sfather,Giovanni,tohisbrotherMario,themanwho’dtaughtEziotheart

ofwarandinitiatedhimintotheBrotherhoodthreelongdecadesearlier.Mario.

Ezioflinchedatthememory.Mario,whohaddiedatthecruelandcowardly

handsofCesareBorgiainthewakeofthebattleofMonteriggioni.

Mariohadlongsincebeenavenged,buttheletterEziofoundopenedanew

chapter,anditscontentsprofferedhimthechanceofanewmission.Itwas1509

whenhe’dfoundit,andhe’djustturnedfifty;heknewthatthechanceofnew

missionsseldomcametomenofhisage.Besides,theletterofferedhimthehope

andthechallengeofclosingthegatesofopportunityontheTemplarsforever.

PalazzoAuditore

Firenze

ivfebbraioMCDLVIII



DearBrother—



Theforcesagainstusaregatheringstrength,andthereisamaninRomewho

hastakencommandofourenemieswhoisperhapsthegreatestpoweryouandI

willeverhavetoreckonwith.Forthisreason,Iimparttoyou,underthesealof

utmostsecrecy,thefollowinginformation.Iffateshouldovertakeme,ensure—

withyourlife,ifnecessary—thatthisinformationneverfallsintoourenemies’

hands.

Thereis,asyouknow,acastlecalledMasyafinSyria,whichwasoncethe

seatofourBrotherhood.There,overtwocenturiesago,ourthenMentor,Altaïr

Ibn-La’Ahad,greatestofourOrder,establishedalibrarydeepbeneaththe

fortress.

Isaynomorenow.DiscretiondictatesthatwhatelseIhavetotellyouofthis

mustbeinconversationandneverwrittendown.

ThisisaquestIwouldhavelongedtoaccomplishmyself,butthereisnotime

now.Ourenemiespressuponus,andwehavenotimeexcepttofightback.



YourBrotherGiovanniAuditore

Withthisletterwasanothersheetofpaper—atantalizingfragment,clearlyin

hisfather’shandwritingbutequallyclearlynotbyhim—atranslationofamuch

olderdocument,alsotherewithit,onparchmentthataccordedverycloselywith

thatonwhichtheoriginalCodexpages,uncoveredbyEzioandhiscompanions

nearlythirtyyearsearlier,hadbeenwritten:

Ihavespentdayswiththeartifactnow.Orhasitbeenweeks?Months?

Theotherscomefromtimetotime,offeringfoodordistraction;and

thoughIknowinmyheartIshouldseparatemyselffromthesedark

studies,Ifinditmoreandmoredifficulttoassumemynormalduties.

Malikhasbeensupportive,butevennowthatoldedgereturnstohis

voice.Still,myworkmustcontinue.ThisAppleofEdenmustbe

understood.Itsfunctionissimple.Elementary,even:dominion.Control.

Buttheprocess...themethodsandmeansitemploys...THESEare

fascinating.Itistemptationincarnate.Thosesubjectedtoitsgloware

promisedallthattheydesire.Itasksonlyonethinginreturn:complete

andtotalobedience.Andwhocantrulyrefuse?Iremembermyown

momentofweaknesswhenconfrontedbyAlMualim,myMentor,andmy

confidencewasshakenbyhiswords.He,whohadbeenlikeafather,was

nowrevealedtobemygreatestenemy.Justthebriefestflickerofdoubt

wasallheneededtocreepintomymind.ButIvanquishedhisphantoms

—restoredmyself-confidence—andsenthimfromthisworld.Ifreed

myselffromhiscontrol.ButnowIwonder,isthistrue?ForhereIsit—

desperatetounderstandthatwhichIintendedtodestroy.Isenseitis

morethanjustaweapon,atoolformanipulatingmen’sminds.Orisit?

Perhapsit’ssimplyfollowingitsdesign:showingmewhatIdesiremost.

Knowledge...Alwayshoveringattheedge.Justoutofreach.

Beckoning.Promising.Tempting...

Theoldmanuscripttailedoffthere,therestlost,and,indeed,theparchment

wassobrittlewithagethatitsedgescrumbledashetouchedit.

Eziounderstoodlittleofit,butsomeofitwassofamiliarthathisskintingled,

evenhisscalp,atthememory.

Itdidagain,asEziorecalledit,sittinginhiscellintheprisontowerat

Masyaf,watchingthesunsetonwhatmightbehislastdayonearth.

Hevisualizedtheoldmanuscriptinhismind.Itwasthis,morethananything,

thathaddeterminedhimtotraveleast,toMasyaf.

Darknessfellquickly.Theskywascobaltblue.Starsalreadyspeckledit.

Fornoreason,Ezio’sthoughtsturnedtotheyoungmaninwhite.Theman

he’dseemedtoseeinthelullinthefighting.Whohadappearedanddisappeared

somysteriously,likeavision,butwhohad,somehow,beenreal,andwhohad,

somehow,communicatedwithhim.

THREE

PreparationsforhisjourneyhadtakenEziotherestofthatyearandspilledinto

thenext.HerodenorthtoFlorenceandconferredwithMachiavelli,thoughhe

didnottellhimallthatheknew.InOstia,hevisitedBartolomeod’Alviano,who

hadfilledoutwithtoomuchgoodfoodandwinebutwasasferociousasever

thoughhewasafamilymannow.HeandPantasileahadproducedthreesons

and,amonthago,adaughter.Whathadhesaid?

“Timeyougotamoveon,Ezio!Noneofusisgettinganyyounger.”

Eziohadsmiled.Bartowasluckierthanheknew.

Ezioregrettedthattherewasnotimetoextendhisjourneyfarthernorthto

Milan,buthehadkepthisweaponryingoodorder—theblades,thepistol,the

bracer—andtherewasnotime,either,totemptLeonardointofindingyetmore

waysofimprovingthem.Indeed,Leonardohimselfhadsaid,afterhe’dlast

overhauledthem,ayearearlier,thattheywerenowbeyondimprovement.

Thatremainedtobeseenwhentheywerenextputtothetest.

MachiavellihadgivenhimothernewsinFlorence,acityhestillsetfootin

onlywithsadness,soheapedwasitwithmemoriesofhislostfamilyandhis

devastatedinheritance.Hislostlove,too—thefirstand,hethought,perhapsthe

onlytrueoneofhislife—CristinaVespucci.Twelveyears—coulditreallybeso

longsinceshehaddiedatthehandsofSavonarola’sfanatics?Andnowanother

death.Machiavellihadtoldhimaboutit,hesitantly.ThefaithlessCaterina

Sforza,whohadblightedEzio’slifeasmuchasCristinahadblessedit,hadjust

died,awastedoldwomanofforty-six,forgottenandpoor,hervitalityand

confidencelongsinceextinguished.

Ashewentthroughlife,Eziobegantothinkthatthebestcompanyhe’dever

trulyhavewouldbehisown.

Buthehadnotimetogrieveorbrood.Themonthsflewby,andsoonitwas

Christmas,andsomuchstilltodo.

Atlast,earlyintheNewYear,ontheFeastofSt.Hilary,hewasready,anda

daywassetforhisdeparturefromRome,viaNaples,tothesouthernportof

Bari,withanescortorganizedbyBartolomeo,who’dridewithhim.

AtBari,hewouldtakeship.

FOUR

“Godgowithyou,brother,”ClaudiatoldhimonhislastmorninginRome.They

hadrisenbeforedawn.Eziowouldleaveatfirstlight.

“Youmusttakecareofthingshereinmyabsence.”

“Doyoudoubtme?”

“Notanymore.Haveyoustillnotforgivenmeforthat?”

Claudiasmiled.“ThereisagreatbeastinAfricacalledtheelephant.Theysay

itneverforgets.Itisthesamewithwomen.Butdon’tworry,Ezio.Iwilltake

careofthingsuntilyoureturn.”

“OruntilwehaveneedofanewMentor.”

Claudiadidn’treplytothat.Herfacebecametroubled.Shesaid:“This

mission.Whydoyougoalone?Whyhaveyousaidsolittleofitsimport?”

“‘Hetravelsfastestwhotravelsalone,’”Ezioquotedbywayofreply.“Asfor

details,Ihaveleftourfather’spapersinyourkeeping.OpenthemifIdonot

return.AndIhavetoldyouallyouneedtoknowofMasyaf.”

“Giovanniwasmyfather,too.”

“Butheentrustedthisresponsibilitytome.”

“Youhaveassumedit,brother.”

“IamMentor,”hesaid,simply.“Itismyresponsibility.”

Shelookedathim.“Well,travelsafely.Write.”

“Iwill.Inanycase,youwon’thavetoworryaboutmebetweenhereandBari.

Bartowillbewithmealltheway.”

Shestilllookedworried.Eziowastouchedthatthetoughwomanhissister

hadgrownuptobestillhadatenderspotinherheartforhim.Hisoverland

journeywouldleadhimthroughItaly’ssouthernterritories,andtheywere

controlledbytheCrownofAragon.ButKingFerdinandhadn’tforgottenhis

debttoEzio.

“IfI’mafteraction,”hetoldher,readingherthought,“Iwon’tgetanyuntilI

setsail.Andmycourseleadsprettyfartothenorthformetohavetoworry

aboutBarbarycorsairs.We’llhugtheGreekcoastafterCorfu.”

“I’mmoreworriedaboutyourcompletingwhatyou’resettingouttodo.Not

becauseI’mworriedaboutyoupersonally—”

“Ohreally?Thankyouforthat.”

Shegrinned.“YouknowwhatImean.Fromallyou’vesaid,andSanta

Veronicamayholdwitnessthatyou’vetoldmelittleenough,agoodoutcomeis

importantforus.”

“That’swhyI’mgoingnow.BeforetheTemplarscanregainstrength.”

“Seizetheinitiative?”

“That’saboutit.”

Shetookhisfaceinherhands.Helookedatheronelasttime.Atforty-nine,

shewasstillastrikinglybeautifulwoman,herdarkhairstilldarkandherfiery

natureunquenched.Sometimesheregrettedthatshehadnotfoundanotherman

afterthedeathofherhusband,butshewasdevotedtoherchildrenandherwork,

andmadenosecretofthefactthatshelovedlivinginRome,which,underPope

Julius,hadonceagainbecomeasophisticatedinternationalcityandanartistic

andreligiousmecca.

Theyembraced,andEziomountedhishorse,attheheadoftheshort

cavalcadethatwasaccompanyinghim—fifteenarmedridersunderBarto,who

wasalreadymounted,hisheavyhorsepawingthedust,impatienttobegone,and

awagontocarrytheirsupplies.Forhimself,allEzioneededwasintwoblack

leathersaddlebags.“I’llforageasIgoalong,”he’dtoldClaudia.

“You’regoodatthat,”she’drepliedwithawrygrin.

Raisinghishandashesettledintothesaddle,Eziowheeledhishorse,and,as

Bartobroughthisownsteedalongside,theymadetheirwaydowntheeastside

oftheriver,awayfromtheAssassins’HeadquartersonTiberIsland,towardthe

citygatesandthelongroadsouth.

IttookthemfifteendaystoreachBari,andoncethere,Eziobadeleaveofhisold

friendhastily,inordernottomissthefirstavailablefloodtide.Hetookaship

belongingtotheTurkishmerchantfleetmanagedbyPiriReisandhisfamily.

Onceinstalledintheaftercabinofthelargelateen-saileddhow,theAnaan—a

freighteronwhichhewastheonlypassenger—Eziotooktheopportunityto

check—onceagain—theessentialgearhehadtakenwithhim.Twohidden-

blades,oneforeachwrist,hisbracerfortheleftforearm,todeflecttheblowsof

swords,andthespring-loadedpistolthatLeonardohadmadeforhim,alongwith

allhisotherspecialarmaments,fromancientdesignsfoundinthepagesofthe

CodexoftheAssassins.

Eziowastravelinglight.Intruth,heexpectedtofindMasyaf,ifhesucceeded

inreachingit,deserted.Atthesametime,headmittedtohimselfthathewas

uneasyatthescarcityofAssassinintelligenceaboutTemplarmovementsinthe

presentdaysofapparent,or,atleast,relative,peace.

Asfarasthissecondlegofthejourney,whichwouldtakehimtoCorfu,was

concerned,heknewhehadlittletofear.PiriReiswasagreatcaptainamongthe

Ottomans,andhadoncebeenapiratehimself,sohismenwouldknowhowto

handlethemiffearofPiri’snamealonedidn’tkeepthematbay.Eziowondered

ifhe’devermeetthegreatmanhimselfoneday.Ifhedid,hehopedPiri,not

knownforhiseasygoingnature,wouldhaveforgottenthetimewhenthe

Brotherhoodhadbeenconstrainedto“liberate”someofPiri’spreciousmaps

fromhim.

TheOttomansthemselvesnowheldswayoverGreeceandmuchofeastern

Europe—indeed,theirterritoriesalmosttouchedthoseofVeniceinthewest.Not

everyonewashappywiththesituation,andwiththepresenceofsomanyTurks

inEurope;butVenice,afterastandoff,hadcontinuedtotradewithitsMuslim

neighbors,andlaSerenissimahadkeptcontrolofCorfu,Crete,andCyprus.

Eziocouldn’tseethesituationlasting—theOttomanshadalreadymade

unfriendlyadvancesonCyprus—butforthemoment,peaceheld,andSultan

Bayezidwastoopreoccupiedwithinternalfamilysquabblestomakeanytrouble

inthewest.

Thebroad-beamedship,withhergreatsailofwhitecanvas,cutthroughthe

watermorelikeabroadswordthanaknife,buttheymadegoodtimedespite

adverseheadwinds,andtheshortvoyageacrossthemouthoftheAdriatictook

littlemorethanfivedays.

AfterawelcomefromthegovernorofCorfu,afatItaliancalledFrancowho

likedtobecalledSpyridon,afterthelocalpatronsaint,andwholongsincehad

clearlyabandonedpoliticsforlotus-eating,Eziohadatalkwiththeship’s

captainastheystoodonabalconyfrontingthegovernor’svilla,andlookingout

overpalmtreestotheharbor,whichnestledunderaskyofbluevelvet.In

exchangeforanotherpouchofVenetiansoldi,theyagreedbetweenthemthat

EzioshouldcontinueontoAthens.

“That’sourdestination,”thecaptaintoldhim.“We’llbehuggingthecoast,

I’vedonethetriptwentytimes,therewillbenoproblem,nodanger.Andfrom

thereitwillbeeasytotakeavesselboundforCreteandevenontoCyprus.In

fact,I’llintroduceyoutomybrother-in-lawMa’MunwhenwereachAthens.

He’sashippingagent.He’lltakecareofyou.”

“I’mobliged,”Eziosaid.Hehopedtheman’sconfidencewaswellplaced.

TheAnaanwastakingonanimportantcargoofspicesfortransfertoAthens,

andEziorememberedenoughfromhisearlydayswhenhisfatherwasoneofthe

majorbankersofFlorencetoknowthatthiscargowouldmaketheAnaana

temptingtargetforanypirate,nomatterhowgreatafearthenameofPiriReis

mightstrikeinthem.Ifyoufightonaship,youneedtobeabletomovefastand

lightly.Inthetown,thefollowingmorning,hewenttoanarmorerandboughta

well-temperedscimitar,beatingthemandowntoonehundredsoldi.

“Insurance,”Eziotoldhimself.

Thefollowingdayatdawn,thetidewashighenoughforthemtobegintheir

voyage,andtheytookadvantageofit,togetherwithabrisknortherlywind,

whichfilledtheirsailimmediately.Theycoastedsouth,keepingtheshoreabout

amiletotheirportside.Thesunsparkledonthesteelbluewaves,andthewarm

windcaressedtheirhair.OnlyEziocouldnotquitebringhimselftorelax.

They’dreachedapointjustsouthoftheislandofZantewhenithappened.

Theyhadpulledoutfarthertoseatotakefulladvantageofthewind,andthe

waterhadturneddarkerandchoppier.Thesunwasdippingtowardthewestern

horizon,andyoucouldn’tlookinthatdirectionandseeanythingwithout

squinting.Themarinerswerecastingalogoverthestarboardsidetotakethe

speed,andEziowatchedthem.

Afterward,hecouldn’thavesaidwhatitwasthathadcaughthisattention.A

seabird,perhaps,dippingalongthesideoftheship,attractedhiseye.Butitwas

nobird.Itwassail.Twosails.Twoseagoinggalleys,cominginoutofthesun,

takingthembysurpriseandalmostuponthem.

Thecorsairshadlainalongsidealmostbeforethecaptainhadhadtimeto

summonhiscrewtoarmsandactionstations.Thepiratesthrewgrapplingirons

onropesovertheAnaan’ssidesandweresoonscramblingaboard,asEzioraced

afttoarmhimself.Luckily,hehadthescimitaralreadyathissideandwasable

toputittoitsfirsttests,slicinghiswaythroughfiveBerberseamenashe

struggledtoreachhisgoal.

Hewasbreathingheavilyashehastilystrappedonhisbracerandhisgun.He

hadenoughfaithinthescimitarbythentodispensewithhishidden-blades,

whichhestowedquicklyinahidingplaceinthecabin,andhejudgedthebracer

andthegunthebetterweaponsforthiscombat.

Hesprangoutintothefray—aroundhimthefamiliarclashingofweaponsand

alreadythesmellofblood.Afirehadstartedforward,andthewind,whichhad

chosenthatmomenttoturn,nowthreatenedtodragitaftthelengthoftheship.

CommandingtwoOttomansailorstograbbuckets,heorderedthemback

forwardtowheretheship’swaterreservoirwas.Atthatmoment,apirateflung

himselffromtheriggingontoEzio’sshoulders.Oneofthesailorsyelledouta

warning.Eziospunround,flexedthemusclesofhisrightwrist,andhisgun

sprangfromthemechanismstrappedtohisforearm,intohishand.Swiftly,with

notimetoaim,hefired,steppingbackimmediatelytoallowthestill-falling

bodytocrashpasthimontothedeck.

“Fill,quickly,andputouttheflamesbeforetheyspread,”heyelled.“Theship

willbelostifthefiretakeshold.”

HehackedawayatthreeorfourBerberswhohadracedtowardhim,sensing

alreadythathewastheonemanaboardtoneutralize,iftheirattackwastobe

successful.Hethenfoundhimselfconfrontedwiththecorsaircaptain,aburly

brutewithanEnglishcutlassineachhand—booty,nodoubt,fromsomeearlier

unfortunatevictims.

“Yield,Venetiandog!”themansnarled.

“Yourfirstmistake,”repliedEzio.“NeverinsultaFlorentinebymistaking

himforaVenetian.”

Thecaptain’sreplywastobringasavageleft-armedblowringingdown

towardEzio’shead,butEziowasreadyforitandraisedhisownleftarm,letting

thecutlassbladeslideharmlesslythelengthofthebracerandoffintotheair.

Thecaptainhadn’texpectedthisandwasthrownoffbalance.Eziotrippedhim

andflunghimheadlongintothereservoirintheholdbelow.

“Help,effendi!Icannotswim!”thecaptainburbledashesurfaced.

“Thenyouhadbetterlearn,”Eziotoldhim,turningawaytocutattwomore

pirates,whowerealmostuponhim.Outofthecornerofhiseye,hecouldsee

thathisowntwosailorshadsucceededinloweringtheirbucketsonropesinto

thereservoirandthatnow,joinedbyahandfulmoreoftheirshipmates,similarly

equipped,theywerebeginningtogetthefireundercontrol.

Butthemostferociousfightinghadmovedtotherearoftheship,andthere

theOttomansweregettingtheworstofit.EziorealizedthattheBerbershadno

desirefortheAnaantoburn,forthatwaythey’dlosetheirprize;sotheywere

lettingEzio’ssailorsgetonwiththejobofdousingthefirewhilethey

concentratedontakingtheship.

Hismindmovedfast.Theywerebadlyoutnumbered,andheknewthatthe

Anaan’screw,toughmenastheywere,werenottrainedfighters.Heturnedtoa

stackofunlittorchesstowedunderahatchwayinthebow.Leapingoverand

seizingone,hethrustitintothedyingflamesofthefire,andonceithadtaken,

hethrewitwithallhisforceacrossintothefartherofthetwoBerbershipslying

alongside.Thenheseizedanotherandrepeatedtheaction.Bythetimethe

BerbersaboardtheAnaanrealizedwhatwasgoingon,eachoftheirshipswas

wellablaze.

Itwasacalculatedrisk,butitpaidoff.Insteadoffightingforcontroloftheir

prey,andrealizingthattheircaptainwasnowheretobeseen,theypanickedand

beatawaybacktothegunwale,astheOttomans,takingheart,renewedtheir

owneffortsandlaunchedacounterattack,lashingoutwithsticks,swords,

hatchets,bitends,andwhateverelsecametohand.

Inanotherfifteenminutes,theyhaddriventheBerbersbacktotheirownships

andcastofffromthem,cuttingthegrapplingironsfreewithaxesandusingpoles

topushtheburninggalleysaway.TheOttomancaptainbarkedanumberofrapid

orders,andsoontheAnaanwasclear.Onceorderhadbeenreestablished,the

crewsetaboutswabbingthedecksofbloodandstackingthebodiesofthedead.

Ezioknewthatitwouldhavebeenagainsttheirreligiontocastanybody

overboard.Hejusthopedtherestofthejourneywouldn’ttakelong.

TheBerbercaptain,asoggymess,washauledfromthereservoir.Hestoodon

thedeck,abjectanddripping.

“You’dbetterdisinfectthatwater,”EziosaidtotheAnaan’scaptain,asthe

piratechiefwasledawayinirons.

“Wehaveenoughdrinkingwaterforourneedsinbarrels—theywilltakeusas

farasAthens,”thecaptainreplied.Thenhedrewasmallleatherpursefromthe

pouchathisside.“Thisisforyou,”hesaid.

“Whatisit?”

“I’mrefundingyourfare,”saidthecaptain.“It’stheleastIcando.Andwhen

wereachAthens,I’llseetoitthatyourfeatisspokenof.Asforyouronward

journey,restassuredthateverythingwillbearrangedforyou.”

“Weshouldn’thaverelaxed,”saidEzio.

Thecaptainlookedathim.“Youareright.Perhapsoneshouldneverrelax.”

“Youareright,”Ezioreplied,sadly.

FIVE

AthenshadprosperedundertheTurks,thoughashewalkedthestreetsand

visitedthemonumentsandtemplesoftheGreekGoldenAge,being

rediscoveredandreveredinhisowncountry,andsawwithhisowneyesthe

statuesandbuildingsthatwereinspiringhisfriendsMichelangeloandBramante

inRome,Eziounderstoodsomethingoftheproudresentmentthatgleamed

unmistakablyintheeyesofseveralofthemenandwomenofthelocal

population.ButhewasfêtedbyMa’Mun,theOttomancaptain’sbrother-in-law,

andhisfamily,whoshoweredhimwithgiftsandurgedhimtostay.

Hisstaywaslongerthanhehadwantedittobeinanycasesinceunseasonable

stormshadboiledupintheAegeannorthofSerifos,batteringtheclusterof

islandstothesouthofAthensandeffectivelyclosingtheportofPiraeusfora

monthormore.Neverhadsuchtempestsbeenseenatthattimeofyear.Street

prophetsinevitablymutteredabouttheendoftheworld,atopicmuchdiscussed

atthetimeofthehalfmillenniumin1500.Inthemeantime,Ezio,havingno

timeforsuchthingsandonlychafingagainstthedelay,broodedoverthemaps

andnoteshehadbroughtwithhimandvainlytriedtogleanintelligenceonthe

Templars’movementsintheareaandintheregionsouthandeastofGreece.

Atonecelebrationinhishonor,hemadetheacquaintanceofaDalmatian

princessandhadadalliancewithher,butitwasnomorethanthat,adalliance,

andhisheartremainedasisolatedasithadbeenforsolong.Hehadceased,he

toldhimself,tolookforlove.Ahomeofhisown,arealhome,andafamily—

theseheldnoplaceinthelifeofanAssassinMentor.Eziohadreadsomething,

dimlyunderstood,ofthelifeofhisremoteforebearintheBrotherhood,Altaïr

Ibn-La’Ahad.Hehadpaiddearlyforhavingafamily.AndeventhoughEzio’s

ownfatherhadmanagedit,he,too,hadpaidabitterpriceintheend.

Butatlast—nottoosoonfortheimpatientEzio—thewindsandtheseas

abatedandwerereplacedwiththefineweatherofspring.Ma’Munhadmadeall

thearrangementsforhisonwardpassagetoCrete,andthesameshipwouldtake

himfarther—asfarasCyprus.Thisvesselwasawarship,afour-mastedkogge,

theQutaybah,withoneofitslowerdecksarmedwithalineoftencannonon

eachside,andmoregunsinemplacementsinthehullforeandaft.Inadditionto

lateensails,shewassquare-rigged,European-style,onthemainmastand

mizzenmast;andtherewasanoardeckbelowthecannon,thirtyoarstoaside.

ChainedtooneofthemwastheBerbercaptainEziohadtangledwithonthe

Anaan.



“Youwillbefreefromtheneedtodefendyourselfonthisship,effendi,”

Ma’MuntoldEzio.

“Iadmireit.IthassomethingoftheEuropeandesignaboutit.”

“OurSultanBayezidadmiresmuchthatisgraciousandusefulinyour

culture,”repliedMa’Mun.“Wecanlearnmuchfromeachotherifwetry.”

Ezionodded.

“TheQutaybahcarriesourAthensenvoytoaconferenceatNicosia,andwill

dockatLarnakaintwentydays.ThecaptainstopsatHerakliononlytotakeon

waterandsupplies.”Hepaused.“AndIhavesomethingforyou...”

Theywereseated,drinkingsharbat,inMa’Mun’sofficeintheport.TheTurk

nowturnedtoahugeiron-boundchestthatstoodagainstthefarwall,taking

fromitamap.“Thisisprecious,asallmapsare,butitisaspecialgiftfromme

toyou.ItisamapofCyprusdrawnupbyPiriReishimself.Youwillhavetime

there—”HehelduphishandsasEziobegantoobject,aspolitelyashecould.

Thefarthereastyoutraveled,thelessurgencythereseemedtobeabouttime.“I

know!IamawareofyourimpatiencetoreachSyria,butthekoggewillonlytake

yousofar,andwemustarrangeyouronwardtransportfromLarnaka.Fearnot.

YousavedtheAnaan.Wewillbesuitablygratefulforthatact.Noonewillget

youtoyourdestinationfasterthanwe.”

Eziounrolledthemapandexaminedit.Itwasafine,detailedwork.He

thoughtthatifhewasindeedobligedtospendtimeonthatisland,heknewfrom

clueshehadalreadypickedupinhisfather’sarchivesthatCypruswasnot

withoutinteresttotheAssassins,inthehistoryoftheireternalstrugglewiththe

Templars,andthatitcouldwellbethattherehewouldfindcluesthatmighthelp

him.

HewouldmakegooduseofhistimeatCyprus,buthehopedhewouldnot

havetotarrytherelong,effectivelycontrolledasitwasbytheTemplars,

whateverappearancesmightbetothecontrary.



Butitwastobealongerjourneythananyonemighthaveanticipated.Hardly

hadtheysetsailfromCreteaftertheirbrieflandingatHeraklion—amatterofno

morethanthreedays—thanthewindsbegantorageagain.Southerlythistime,

fierceandwarmstillfromtheirlongjourneyoutofNorthAfrica.TheQutayah

battledthembravely,butbydegreesshewasbeatenbacknorthuptheAegean,

fightingherretreatthroughthetangleofislandsoftheDodecanese.Itwasa

weekbeforethestormsabated,notbeforeclaimingthelivesoffivemarinersand

anuncountednumberofgalleyprisoners,whodrownedattheiroars.Atlast,the

shipputintoChiosforarefit.Eziodriedhisgearandcleanedhisequipmentof

anyrust.Themetalofhisspecialweaponshadnevershowntheleastsignof

tarnishinalltheyearshehadhadthem.Oneofthemanymysteriousproperties

theyhad,whichLeonardohadattemptedtoexplaintohiminvain.

ThreepreciousmonthshadbeenlostbeforetheQutaybahatlastlimpedinto

theharborofLarnaka.Theenvoy,who’dlosttwentypoundsonthevoyage,

throughseasicknessandvomiting,andwho’dlongsincemissedhisconference,

madeimmediatearrangementstotravelbacktoAthensbythemostdirectroute,

travelingoverlandasfarashecould.

EziowastednotimeinlookinguptheLarnakaagent,Bekir,whosename

Ma’Munhadgivenhim.Bekirwaswelcomingandevendeferential.Ezio

AuditoredaFirenze.Thefamousrescuerofships!Hewasalreadythetalkof

Larnaka.Auditoreeffendi’snamewasoneverylip.Ah—thequestionofpassage

toTortosa.ThenearestmainlandporttoMasyaf.InSyria.Yes,yesofcourse.

Arrangementswillbeplacedinhandimmediately—thisveryday!Iftheeffendi

willbepatient,whilethenecessarywheelsaresetinmotion...Thebest

possibleaccommodationswillbeathisdisposal...



ThelodgingsarrangedforEziowereindeedsplendid—alarge,lightapartment

inamansionbuiltonalowhillabovethetown,overlookingitandthecrystal

seabeyond.Butaftertoomuchtimehadpassed,hispatiencegrewthin.

“ItistheVenetians,”explainedtheagent.“TheytolerateanOttomanpresence

here,butonlyinacivilsense.Themilitaryauthoritiesare,regrettably,waryof

us.Ifeelthat”—themanloweredhisvoice—“wereitnotforthereputationof

oursultan,Bayezid,whoseauthoritystretchesfarandwhosepowerismighty,

wemightnotbetoleratedatall.”Hebrightened:“Perhapsyoucouldhelpinyour

owncause,effendi.”

“Inwhatway?”

“Ithought,perhaps,thatasaVenetianyourself...”

Eziobithislip.



Buthewasnotamantolettimehangidly.Whilehewaited,hestudiedPiri

Reis’smap,andsomethingdrewhim,somethinghalf-rememberedthathehad

read,tohireahorseandridedownthecoasttoLimassol.

Oncethere,hefoundhimselfwanderingthroughthemotteandbaileyofthe

desertedcastleofGuydeLusig-nan,builtduringtheCrusadesbutcurrently

neglected,likesomeonce-usefultoolwhoseownerhasforgottentothrowit

away.Ashewalkedthroughitsempty,draftycorridorsandlookedatthe

wildflowersgrowinginitscourtyards,andthebuddleiathatclungtoits

crumblingramparts,memories—atleast,theyseemedtobememories—

promptedhimtoexploremoredeeply,todelveintothebowelsofthekeepand

explorethevaultsbeneathit.

There,shroudedincrepusculargloom,hefoundthedesolateandempty

remainsofwhathadundoubtedlyoncebeenavastarchive.Hislonelyfootfalls

echoedinthedarklabyrinthofrotting,emptyshelving.

Theonlyoccupantswerescuttlingrats,whoseeyesglintedsuspiciouslyathim

fromdarkcornersastheyscurriedaway,givinghimslanting,evillooks.And

theycouldtellhimnothing.Hemadeasthoroughasearchashecould,butnota

clueofwhathadbeenthereremained.

Disheartened,hereturnedtothesunshine.Thepresenceofalibrarythere

remindedhimofthelibraryhesought.Somethingwaspromptinghimthoughhe

couldnotputhisfingeronwhatitwas.Stubbornly,heremainedatthecastletwo

days.Townspeoplelookedoddlyatthedark,grizzledstrangerwhoroamedtheir

ruin.

ThenEzioremembered.Threecenturiesearlier,Cyprushadbeentheproperty

oftheTemplars.

SIX

TheVenetianauthorities—orsomeonebehindthem—wereclearlyblockinghis

onwardpassage.Thisbecamecleartohimassoonashehadconfrontedthem.

FlorentinesandVenetiansmighthavebeenrivals,mighthavelookeddownon

oneanother,buttheysharedthesamecountryandthesamelanguage.

Thatcutnoiceatallwiththegovernorthere.DomenicoGarofoliwaslikea

pencil—long,thin,andgrey.Hisblackrobes,exquisitelycutinthemostcostly

damask,neverthelesshungfromhimlikeragsfromascarecrow.Theheavygold

rings,setwithrubiesandpearls,clatteredlooselyonhisbonyfingers.Hislips

weresonarrowthatyoucouldhardlysaytheywerethereatall,andwhenhis

mouthwasclosed,youcouldnotseewhereitwasinhisface.

Hewas,ofcourse,unfailinglypolite—Ezio’sactionhaddonemuchtowarm

Ottoman-Venetianrelationsintheregion—buthewasclearlyunwillingtodo

anything.Thesituationonthemainlandeastward—beyondthecoastaltowns

thatclungtotheshoreoftheMediterraneanlikethefingertipsofamanhanging

fromaprecipice—wasfraughtwithdanger.TheOttomanpresenceinSyriawas

mighty,andfurtherOttomanambitionswestwardmuchfeared.Anymissionnot

sanctionedbyofficialdiplomacycouldtriggeraninternationalincidentofthe

mostdireproportions.That,atleast,wasGarofoli’sexcuse.

TherewasnowayEziowasgoingtofindalliesamonghiscountrymenon

Crete.

Eziolistened,andlistened,sittingpolitely,withhishandsonhisknees,asthe

governordronedoninadesiccatedvoice.Anddecidedtotakemattersintohis

ownhands.



Thatveryevening,hemadehisfirstreconnaissanceofthedocks.Therewere

shipsaplentymooredthere,dhowsfromArabyandNorthAfricabumping

againstVenetianroccafortes,galleys,andcaravels.ADutchfluytlooked

promising,andthereweremenworkingaboard,loadingthickbalesofsilkunder

anarmedguard.ButonceEziohadrecognizedthecargo,heknewthatthefluyt

wouldbehomewardbound,notoutward,andheneededashipsailingeast.

Hewanderedfarther,keepingtotheshadows,adarkformstillaslitheand

fluidasacat.Buthissearchyieldedhimnothing.

Severaldaysandnightspassedinreconnoitering.Healwaystookallhis

essentialequipmentwithhim,incasehestruckitluckyandcouldgetawaythere

andthen.Buteachforayendedwiththesameresult.Ezio’snotorietyhad

markedhim,andhehadtogotosomelengthstokeephisidentitysecret;but

evenwhenhesucceeded,hefoundthatnoship’smasterwasheadedinprecisely

thedirectionhewanted,orthattheywere—forsomereason—unwillingtotake

him,nomatterhowbigthebribeoffered.HeconsideredreturningtoBekirbut

resistedthisintheend.Bekiralreadyknewtoomuchabouthisintentions.

Thefifthnightfoundhimagainatthedocks.Fewershipsbythen,andapart

fromtheNightWatchmenandtheircrews,whopassedseldom,theirlanterns

swingingonlongpolesandtheirswordsortruncheonsalwaysattheready,no

oneelsewasabout.Eziomadehiswaytothemostdistantquaysides,where

smallervesselsweretiedup.Thedistancetothemainlandwasnotthatgreat.

Perhapsifhecould...acquire...someboatofhisown,hemightbeabletosail

theseventy-fiveleaguesorsoalone.

Cautiously,hesetfootonawoodenjetty,itsblackboardsshinywithseawater,

alongwhichfivesmallsingle-saildhowswereranked,fishingboatsfromthe

smellofthem,butsturdy,andtwoofthemhadalltheirgearstowedaboard,as

farasEziocouldsee.

Thenthehairsonthebackofhisneckprickled.

Toolate.BeforeEziohadtimetoturn,hewasknockedflatonhisfacebythe

forceoftheweightofthemanwho’dthrownhimselfonhim.Bigman,that

muchEziocouldsense.Verybig.HewaspinningEziodownbythesizeofhis

bodyalone;itwaslikestrugglingunderamassive,musculareiderdown.Ezio

wrenchedhisrighthandfreesothathecouldunleashhishidden-blade,buthis

wristwasinstantlygraspedinagripofiron.Henoticedoutofthecornerofhis

eyethatthehandthatheldhiswristwascuffedwithamanaclefromwhichtwo

brokenchainlinksdangled.

Gatheringhisstrength,Eziotwistedviolentlyandsuddenlytohisleft,digging

hisleftelbowhardintoapartoftheeiderdownthathehopedwastender.Hewas

fortunate.Themanpinioninghimgruntedinpainandrelaxedhisholdafraction.

Itwasenough.Followingthrough,Ezioheavedwithhisleftshoulderand

managedtorollthebodyoffhisown.Likelightning,hewasupononeknee,his

lefthandontheman’sthroat,hisrightpoisedtostrike.

Ezio’smomentoftriumphwasshort.Themanknockedhisrighthandaway,

theironmanacleontheman’slefthand,similarlyadornedwithacoupleofchain

links,strikingEzio’swristpainfullydespitetheprotectionofthehidden-blade’s

harness,andEziofoundhisleftwristnowcaughtinanotherviselikegrip,which

slowlybutinexorablyforcedhisholdontheman’sthroattoweaken.

Theyrolledover,eachtryingtogetthebetteroftheother,puttinginblows

wheretheycould,butalthoughhisassailantwasbulky,hewasquick,andEzio’s

bladeneverfoundamark.Atlasttheyseparatedandstood,grunting,outof

breath,hunched,facingeachother.Themanwasunarmed,buttheironmanacles

coulddoalotofdamageusedasweapons.

Then,fromashortdistanceaway,therewasaflashoflightfromalanternand

acry.

“TheWatch!”saidtheman.“Down!”

Instinctively,Eziofollowedthebigman’sleadastheydivedintothenearest

dhow,flatteningthemselvesinitsbottom.Ezio’smindwasracing.Intheflashof

lightfromthelantern,hehadseentheman’sfaceandrecognizedhim.How

coulditbe?

Buttherewasnotimetoworryaboutthat.Theycouldhearthefootfallsofthe

Watchscurryingtowardthejetty.

“Theysawus,mayAllahblindthem,”saidtheman.“Betterseetothem.You

ready?”

Astonished,Ezionoddedmutelyinthedark.

“I’llfinishyouoffoncewe’veseentothem,”themanadded.

“Iwouldn’tbetonit.”

TherewasnotimeforanymoretalkasthefivemenoftheWatchwere

alreadyuponthem.Fortunately,theyhesitatedbeforethrowingthemselvesdown

intothedarkwelloftheboat,whereEzioandhisunlikelyallynowstood,and

contentedthemselveswithstandingonthejetty,wavingtheirweaponsand

yellingthreats.

Thebigmanregardedthem.“Easymeat,”hesaid.“Butwe’dbettertakethem

now,beforetheyattracttoomuchattention.”

Inreply,Eziobracedhimself,crouched,andleaptuptothejetty,catchingits

edgeandhaulinghimselfontoitinone—thesedays—not-quite-fluidmovement.

Inthemomentittookhimtocatchhisbreath,threeoftheWatchwereuponhim,

bludgeoninghimtothegroundwithheavytruncheons,whileafourthman

approached,swirlingashortbutwicked-lookingsword.Heraiseditforthecoup

degrace,butinthatinstanthewasliftedbodilybythescruffoftheneckfrom

behindandhurled,howling,backwardandupward,tolandwithasickening

crashalongwayfartherdownthejetty,wherehelaymoaning,severalofhis

bonesbroken.

AtthemomentthatEzio’sthreeotherattackersweredistractedbythis,Ezio

sprangtohisfeetandsnappedouthishidden-blade,slicingdowntwoofthemin

twoquick,efficientstrokes.Meanwhile,thebigmanwasstrugglingwiththe

lampholder,anothergiant,whohadthrownhispoleasideanddrawnamassive

Damascus,whichhewavedthreateninglyovertheheadofhisopponent,who

heldhiminawrestler’sbodygrip.Eziocouldseethatatanymomentthethick

bladewouldcomedownsquareintothebroadbackofthebigman.Hecursed

himselffornothavingstrappedonhisgun,butitwastoolateforthat.He

grabbedafallentruncheonand,shovingtheremainingwatchmanasidewithhis

elbow,hurleditattheheadofthelanternman.

Hisaimhad—thankGod!—beentrue.Thetruncheonstruckthelanternman

squarebetweentheeyesandhestaggeredback,fallingtohisknees.ThenEzio

feltasharppaininhisside.ThesurvivingmemberoftheWatchhaddrawna

daggerandstabbedhim.Hesank,andbeforehisworldwentblack,hesawthe

bigmanrunningtowardhim.

SEVEN

WhenEziocameto,hewaslyingonhisbacksomewhere,andtheworldwas

rockingbeneathhim.Notviolently,butsteadily.Itwasalmostcomforting.He

stayedwherehewasforamoment,eyesstillclosed,feelingabreezeonhisface,

notquitewantingtocomebacktowhateverrealitywaswaitingtoconfronthim,

smellingtheseaair.

Theseaair?

Heopenedhiseyes.Thesunwasup,andhecouldseeanunbrokenexpanseof

bluesky.Thenadarkshapecamebetweentheskyandhim.Aheadand

shoulders.Aconcernedface,lookingdownathim.

“You’reback.Good,”saidthebigman.

Eziostartedtositup,andashedidsothepainfromhiswoundhithim.He

groanedandputahandtohisside.Hefeltbandages.

“Fleshwound.Nottoodeep.Nothingtomakeafussabout.”

Ezioraisedhimself.Hisnextthoughtwasforhiskit.Helookedaround

swiftly.Thereitwas,neatlystashedinhisleatherbag,anditlookeduntouched.

“Wherearewe?”heasked.

“Wheredoyouthink?Atsea.”

Painfully,Eziostoodandlookedabouthim.Theywereinoneofthefishing

dhows,cuttingsteadilythroughthewater,thesailabovehisheadfatwithwind.

Heturned,andcouldseeLarnaka,aspeckonthecoastlineofCyprus,onthe

distanthorizonbehindthem.

“Whathappened?”

“Yousavedmylife.Isavedyours.”

“Why?”

“It’stheLaw.Pitythough.Afterwhatyoudidtome,youhaditcoming.”

Themanhadhadhisbacktohim,workingthetiller,butnowheturnedto

Ezio.ForthefirsttimeEziohadagoodlookathisfaceandrecognizedhim

instantly.

“Youwreckedmyships,curseyou.I’dbeenstalkingtheAnaanfordays.That

prizewouldhavetakenmebacktoEgyptarichman.Instead,thankstoyou,

theymadeagalleyslaveofme.Me!”Thebigmanwasindignant.

“Egypt?You’renotaBerberthen?”

“Berberbedamned.I’maMamlukthoughImaynotlooklikeonedressedin

theserags.Soonaswegetthere,I’mtreatingmyselftoawoman,adecentplate

ofkofta,andagoodsuitofclothes.”

Eziolookedaroundhimagain,stumblingthenregaininghisbalanceasan

unexpectedwavechoppedaslantthebow.

“Notmuchofaseaman,areyou?”

“Gondolasaremoremyline.”

“Gondolas?Pah!”

“Ifyouwantedtokillme—”

“Canyoublameme?ItwastheonlyreasonIhungaroundinthatcesspoolof

aVenetianportafterI’descaped.Icouldn’tbelievemyluckwhenIsawyou.I’d

almostgivenup—Iwaslookingforawayoutmyself,downthere.”

Eziogrinned.“Idon’tblameyou.”

“Youchuckedmeinatankandleftmetodrown!”

“Youcouldswimwellenough.Anyfoolcouldseethat.”

Itwasthebigman’sturntogrin.“Ah!ImighthaveknownIcouldn’tappeal

toyourcompassionbypretendingthatIcouldn’t.”

“Yourepaidyourdebttome,yousavedmylife.Butwhydidyoubringme

withyou?”

Thebigmanspreadhishands.“Youwerewounded.IfI’dleftyou,they’d

havecomeforyou,youwouldn’thavelastedthenight.Andwhatawasteofmy

effortthatwouldhavebeen.Besides,youcanmakeyourselfusefulonthistub,

landlubberthoughyouare.”

“Icanlookaftermyself.”

Thebigman’seyesgrewserious.“Iknowyoucan,effendi.MaybeIjust

wantedyourcompany—EzioAuditore.”

‘Youknowmyname.”

“You’refamous.Vanquisherofpirates.Notthatthatwouldhavesavedyou

afterkillingateamofwatchmenandtryingtoescape.”

Eziothoughtaboutthat.Thenhesaid,“Whatdotheycallyou?”

Thebigmandrewhimselfup.Hisdignitybeliedthegalleyslave’sragshestill

wore.“IamAl-Scarab,scourgeoftheWhiteSea.”

“Oh,”saidEziowryly.“Pardonme.”

“Temporarilyonmybackfoot,”Al-Scarabaddedruefully.“Butnotforlong.

Whenwegetthere,I’llhaveanewshipandcrewwithinaweek.”

“Whenwegetwhere?”

“Didn’tItellyou?Thenearestportworthanything,that’salsoinMamluk

hands—Acre.”

EIGHT

Thetimehadcome.

Itwashardtoleave,buthismissionwasimperative,anditcalledEzio

urgentlyonward.HistimeinAcrehadbeenoneofrestandrecuperation,forcing

himselftobepatientashiswoundhealed,forheknewhisquestwouldcometo

nothingofhewerenotfullyfitforit.AndmeetingAl-Scarab,disastrousasit

wouldhavebeenifthingshadgonedifferently,hadshownhimthatifany

guardianangelexisted,hehadone.

Thebigpirate,whomhehadbestedinthebattleaboardtheAnaan,had

provedhimselftobemorethanjustalifesaver.Al-Scarabhadextendedfamily

inAcre,andtheywelcomedEzioastherescueroftheircousinandashis

brother-in-arms.Al-ScarabsaidnothingofhisdefeatintheAnaanincidentand

enjoinedEzioonpainofunmentionableretributiontofollowsuit.Buttheescape

fromLarnakawasboostedintoafightofepicproportions.

“Therewerefiftyofthem...”Al-Scarabwouldstarthisstory,andthe

numberofperfidiousVenetianassailantsthey’dbeenobligedtofightoffhad

reachedtentimesthatnumberbyhistenthtellingofthetale.Openmouthedand

wide-eyed,hiscousinslistenedspellbound,andneverbreathedawordaboutany

oftheinconsistenciesthatcreptin.Atleasthedidn’tthrowinaseamonster,

Eziothought,drily.

OnethingthatwasnotinventionwerethewarningsthatcamefromAl-

Scarab’sfamilyofthedangersEziowouldhavetobepreparedforinhisonward

journey.Theytriedhardtopersuadehimtotakeanarmedescortwithhim,but

thisEziosteadfastlydeclinedtodo.Hewouldridehisownroad.Hewouldnot

subjectotherstotheperilsheknewhemustface.



SoonafterhisarrivalatAcre,Eziotooktheopportunitytowritealong-overdue

lettertohissister.Hechosehiswordswithcare,consciousthatthismightbethe

lasttimehewouldevercommunicatewithher.

Acre

xxnovembreMDX

MydearestsisterClaudia—



IhavebeeninAcreaweeknow,safeandinhighspirits,butpreparedforthe

worst.Themenandwomenwhohavefedandshelteredmeherealsogiveme

warningthattheroadtoMasyafisoverrunbymercenariesandbanditsnot

nativetothisland.Whatthiscouldmean,Ifeartoguess.

WhenIfirstsetoutfromRomatenmonthsago,Ididsowithasinglepurpose:

todiscoverwhatourfathercouldnot.Intheletteryouknowof,writtentheyear

beforemybirth,hemakesasinglementionofalibraryhiddenbeneaththefloors

ofAltaïr’sformercastle.Asanctumfullofinvaluablewisdom.

ButwhatwillIfindwhenIarrive?Whowillgreetme?Ahostofeager

Templars,asIfearmoststrongly?Ornothingbutthewhistlingofacoldand

lonelywind?MasyafhasnotbeenhometotheAssassinsforalmostthree

hundredyearsnow.Doesitrememberus?Arewestillwelcome?

Ah,Iamwearyofthisfight,Claudia...WearynotbecauseIamtiredbut

becauseourstruggleseemstomoveinonedirectiononly...towardchaos.

TodayIhavemorequestionsthananswers.ThatiswhyIhavecomesofar:to

findclarity.TofindthewisdomleftbehindbytheGreatMentor,sothatImay

betterunderstandthepurposeofourfightandmyplaceinit.

Shouldanythinghappentome,dearClaudia...shouldmyskillsfailme,or

myambitionleadmeastray,donotseekrevengeorretributioninmymemory

butfighttocontinuethesearchfortruth,sothatallmaybenefit.Mystoryisone

ofmanythousands,andtheworldwillsufferifitendstoosoon.



Yourbrother,EzioAuditoredaFirenze

Al-Scarab,inthecourseoffittingoutforhisownnewventures,hadalsoseen

toitthatEziohadtheattentionofthebestdoctors,thebesttailors,thebestchefs,

andthebestwomenAcrecouldprovide.Hisbladeswerehonedandsharpened,

hiskitwasfullycleaned,repaired,replacedwherenecessary,andthoroughly

overhauled.

AsthedayapproachedforEziotoleave,Al-Scarabpresentedhimwithtwo

finehorses—“Apresentfrommyuncle—hebreedsthem—butIdon’thave

muchusefortheminmytrade”—toughlittleArabs,withsoftleathertackand

onefine,high-ended,tooledsaddle.Eziocontinuedtorefuseanyescortbut

acceptedsuppliesforhisjourney,whichfromnowonwouldcarryhimoverland,

throughwhathadonce,longago,beentheCrusaderKingdomofJerusalem.



Andnowthetimeofpartinghadcome.Thelastleginalongjourney,and

whetheritwoulditbecompletedornot,Eziohadnowayoftelling.Butforhim

therewasonlythejourney.Ithadtobemade.Oldmenoughttobeexplorers.At

itsend,hewouldsee.

“GowithyourGod,Ezio.”

“Barakallahfeek,myfriend,”Ezioreplied,takingthebigpirate’shand.

“We’llmeetagain.”

“Yes.”

Bothmenwonderedintheirheartsiftheyweretellingthetruth,butthewords

comfortedthem.Itdidn’tmatter.Theylookedeachotherintheeyeandknew

thatintheirdifferentwaystheywerepartofthesamefellowship.

Eziomountedthelargerofthetwohorses,thebay,andturnedherhead

around.



Withoutabackwardglance,heheadedoutofthecity,north.

NINE

Masyafwastwohundredmiles—asthecrowflies—awayfromAcre.The

seeminglygentledesertlandthatlaybetweenthetwopointswasveryfarfrom

gentleinfact.ThegreatOttomanoutwardthrustfromitsoriginalcorehadbeen

goingonrelentlesslyfortwohundredyears,andhadculminatedinthetakingof

Constantinoplebythetwenty-year-oldSultanMehmedIIin1453.Butstillthe

Turkishtentaclesextended,reachingwestwardasfarasBulgariaandbeyond,

andsouthandeastintoSyriaandwhathadoncebeentheHolyLand.The

easterncoastalstripoftheWhiteSea,withitsvitalportsanditsaccessbywater

westward,wasajewelinthecrown,andtheOttomangriponitwasasyet

fragile.Eziowasundernoillusionsaboutwhatbattleshewouldhavetofaceas

hemadehislonelywaynorth.Hefollowedthecoastformostoftheway,

keepingthesparklingseainviewtohisleft,ridingthehighcliffsandthetattered

scrublandsthattoppedthem,travelinginthehoursofdawnanddusk,hidingfor

fourhourswhenthesunwasatitshighestandrestingagainforfourhoursat

nightunderthestars.

Travelingalonehaditsadvantages.Hecouldblendinfarmoreeasilythan

wouldhavebeenpossibleifhe’dhadanescort,andhiskeeneyesdiscerned

dangerpointsaheadwellenoughinadvanceeithertoskirtthemorwaituntil

theyhadpassed.Thiswasbanditcountry,wherehalf-disciplinedgangsof

unemployedmercenariesroamed,killingtravelersandeachotherforwhatthey

couldget,surviving,asitseemedtoEzio,merelyforthesakeofit,ina

countrysidestillreelingintheaftermathofcenturiesofwar.Menturnedferal

andnolongerthinking,nolongerhopingorfearing;menwhohadlostanysense

ofconscience.Ruthlessandreckless,andascallousastheywereremorseless.

Fightstherewere,whentheycouldnotbeavoided,andeveryoneofthem

pointless,leavingafewmoredeadforthevulturesandthecrows,whichwere

theonlycreaturestrulytothriveinthiswastelandforgottenofGod.Once,Ezio

savedafrightenedvillagefrommarauders,andonce,awomanfromtorture,

rape,anddeath.Butforhowlong?Andwhatwouldbecomeofthemafterhehad

passedby?HewasnotGod,hecouldnotbeeverywhere;andhere,whereonce

Christhadtrodden,GodshowednoevidenceoflookingafterHisown.

Thefarthernorthherode,theheavierEzio’sheartbecame.Onlythefireofthe

questkepthimonthepath.Buthetiedbrushwoodtohishorses’tailstoeradicate

histracksashepassed,andatnight,hespreadbranchesofthorntoreston,so

thathewouldneverquitesleep.Eternalvigilancewasnotonlythepriceof

freedombutofsurvival.Thoughthepassingyearsmighthaverobbedhimof

someofhisstrength,thatwascompensatedforbyexperience,andthefruitof

thetrainingwhichhadbeendrummedintohimbyPaolaandMariosolongago

inFlorenceandMonteriggionihadneverrotted.ThoughEziosometimesfelt

thathecouldn’tgoon,thathewouldn’tgoon,hewenton.

Twohundredmilesasthecrowflies.Butthiswasaharshwinter,andthere

weremanydetoursanddelaysalongtheroad.

Finally,Eziosawthemountainsrearingaheadofhim.

Hedrewinadeepbreathofcoldair.

Masyafwasnear.



Threeweekslater,onfoot,bothhorsesdeadinthefrozenpassesbehindhim,and

onhisconscience,fortheyhadbeenmorestalwartandloyalcompanionsthan

manymen,Eziostoodinsightofhisgoal.

Aneaglesoared,highinthehard,clearsky.

Ezio,batteredfromtheroad,drewhiseyesfromit,pulledhimselfupandover

alow,roughwall,andstoodmotionlessforamoment,scanningthescenewith

keeneyes.

Masyaf.Aftermanywearymonthsonthejourney.Andsuchalongjourney—

thewaysdeepandtheweathersharp.

Crouching,justincase,andkeepingstillasheinstinctivelycheckedhis

weapons,Eziokeptwatching.Anysignofmovement.Any.

Notasoulonthebattlements.Scudsofsnowtwistinginacuttingwind.But

nosignofaman.Theplaceseemeddeserted.Ashe’dexpectedfromwhathe’d

readofit.Butlifehadtaughthimthatitwasalwaysbesttomakesure.Hestayed

still.

Notasoundbutthewind.Then—something.Ascraping?Tohisleftaheadof

himahandfulofpebblesskittereddownabareincline.Hetensed,roseslightly,

headupbetweenduckedshoulders.Thenthearrow,comingfromnowhere,

whackedintohisrightshoulder,throughthebodyarmorthere.

TEN

Thedawnwascoldandgrey.Initsstillness,Eziorousedhimselffromhis

memoriesandsnappedallhisconcentrationtothepresentastheheardthe

footfallofguards’bootsontheflagstonesofthecastle,approachinghiscell.

Thiswasthemoment.

He’dpretendtobeweak,andthatwasn’ttoohardathingtodo.Hewas

thirstierthanhe’dbeeninalongtime,andhungrier,butthebeakerandthefood

stillstooduntouchedonthetable.Helayonthefloorfacedown,hishoodpulled

lowoverhisface.

Heheardthedoorofhiscellcrashopen,andthemencamein.Theyreached

underhisshouldersandhalfliftedhim,dragginghimoutandalongthebaregrey

stonecorridoroutside.Lookingdownatthefloorashewasdraggedoverit,Ezio

sawmarkedonit,laidoutinadarkerstone,thegreatsymboloftheAssassins,

theirinsigniasincetimeimmemorial.

Thecorridorgavewayatlengthtoawiderspace,akindofhall,openonone

side.Eziofeltkeenfreshaironhisface,anditrevivedhim.Heraisedhishead

slightlyandsawthatbeyondhimthereweretallopeningsdemarcatedbynarrow

columns,andbeyondthemawide-openviewofthepitilessmountains.They

werestillhighinthetower.

Theypulledhimtohisfeet,andheshookhimselffreeofthem.Theystood

backslightly,halberdsattheready,loweredbutpointingathim.Facinghim,his

backtothevoid,stoodthecaptainofthedaybefore.Heheldanooseinhis

hand.

“Youareatenaciousman,Ezio,”thecaptainsaid.“Tocomeallthiswayfora

glimpseinsideAltaïr’scastle.Itshowsheart.”

Hegesturedtohismentostandfartherback,leavingEziostandingalone.

Thenhewenton:“Butyou’reanoldhoundnow.Bettertoputyououtofyour

miserythanseeyouwhimpertoasadend.”

Ezioturnedslightlytoaddressthemandirectly.Thattinymovement,henoted

tohissatisfaction,wasenoughtomakethehalberdiersflinchandsteadytheir

weaponsonhim.

“AnylastwordsbeforeIkillyou?”Eziosaid.

Thecaptainwasmadeofsternerstuffthanhismen.Hestoodfirm.He

laughed.“Iwonderhowlongitwilltakeforthebuzzardstopickyourbones

clean,asyourbodydanglesfromtheseparapets?”

“There’saneagleuptheresomewhere.He’llkeepthebuzzardsaway.”

“Alotofgoodthat’lldoyou.Comeforward.Orareyouafraidtodie?You

wouldn’twanttohavetobedraggedtoyourdeath,wouldyou?”

Eziomovedforwardslowly,everysensetaut.

“That’sgood,”saidthecaptain,andEzioimmediatelysensedhisslight

relaxation.Didthemanreallythinkhewasgivingin?Washethatvain?That

stupid?Ifso,allthebetter.Butperhaps,afterall,thisuglyman,whosmelledof

sweatandcookedmeat,wasright.Themomentofdeathhadtocomesometime.

Beyondthewidewindowbetweenthecolumns,anarrowwoodenplatform

projectedoverthevoid,perhapstenfeetlongandfourwide,constructedofsix

roughplanks.Itlookedancientandunsafe.Thecaptainbowedinanironic

gestureofinvitation.Eziosteppedforwardagain,waitingforhismoment,butat

thesametimewonderingifitwouldcome.

Theplankscreakedominouslyunderhisweight,andtheairwascoldaround

him.Helookedattheskyandthemountains.Thenhesawtheeaglecoasting,

fiftyoronehundredfeetbelowhim,itswhitepinionsspread,andsomehowthat

gavehimhope.

Thensomethingelsehappened.

Eziohadnoticedanothersimilarplatform,projectingfromthetoweratthe

samelevelsomefifteenfeettohisright.Andnow,onit,alone,walking

fearlesslyforward,wastheyoungcowledmaninwhitehehadglimpsedinthe

battle.AsEziowatched,hisbreathsuspended,themanseemedtobeturning

towardhim,tobemakingthebeginningofagesture...

Andthen,again,thevisionfaded,andtherewasnothingbutthewindandthe

occasionalscatterofgustingsnow.Eventheeaglehaddisappearedfromsight.

Thecaptainapproached,nooseinhand.Eziofleetinglynoticedthattherewas

plentyofslackintheropethattrailedbehindit.

“NoeagleherethatIcansee,”saidthecaptain.“Iwagerit’lltakethebuzzards

nomorethanthreedays.”

“I’llletyouknow,”Ezioreplied,evenly.

Aknotofguardshadcomeupbehindthecaptain,butitwasthecaptain

himself,nowstandingclosebehindEzio,whopulleddownhishood,slippedthe

nooseoverhishead,andpulledittightaroundhisneck.

“Now!”saidthecaptain.

Now!

Attheverymomentthathefeltcaptain’shandsonhisshoulders,readyto

shovehimintooblivion,Ezioraisedhisrightarm,crookedit,anddrovehis

elbowviolentlybackward.Asthecaptainfellbackwithacry,stumblingintohis

companions,Eziostoopedandtookuptheslackoftheropewhereitstilllayon

theplanking,and,dodgingbetweenthethreemen,spunroundandloopedthe

slackroundthestumblingcaptain’sneck.Thenhehimselfleaptfromthe

platformintothevoid.

Thecaptainhadtriedtorecoil,buttoolate.Hewasslammedtotheplanks

undertheimpactofEzio’sweightashefell,andtheplanksshudderedashis

headstruckthem.Theropesnappedtaut,allbutbreakingthecaptain’sneckasit

didso.Turningblue,hishandswenttohisneckashekickedandstruggled

againstdeath.

Utteringalltheoathstheyknew,theguardsdrewtheirswordsandmoved

forwardfast,hackingattheropetofreetheirofficer.Whentheropewascut,the

accursedEzioAuditorewouldplummettohisdeathontherocksfivehundred

feetbelow,andaslongashewasdead,whatdidthemannerofitmatter?

Attherope’send,twirlinginspace,Ezioalreadyhadbothhandsbetweenthe

nooseandhisneck,strainingtokeepitfromcuttingintohiswindpipe.Butashe

didsohewasalreadyscanningthescenebelowhim.Hewasdanglingcloseto

thewalls.Therehadtobesomethinghecouldcatchtobreakhisfall.Butifthere

wasn’t,thiswasabetterwaytomeetdeaththangoingtoitmeekly.

Above,onthedangerouslyswayingplatform,theguardsatlastsucceededin

severingtherope,whichbynowwasdrawingbloodfromthecaptain’sneck.

AndEziofoundhimselffalling,falling...

Butatthemomenthefelttheropegoloose,heswunghisbodyclosertothe

wallsofthecastle.MasyafwasbuiltforAssassinsbyAssassins.Itwouldnot

forsakehim.

Andhehadseenapieceofbrokenscaffoldingprojectingfromthewallfifty

feetbelow.Heguidedhisbodytowarditasheplummeteddownward.Hecaught

it,wincinginpainashisarmwaswrenchedalmostfreeofitssocket.Butthe

scaffoldingheld,andheheldand,grindinghisteethwitheffort,hauledhimself

upuntilhecouldgetagripwithbothhands.

Butitwasn’toveryet.Theguardsabove,leaningout,hadseenwhathad

happened,andbegantolayholdofanythingtheycouldtothrowdownand

dislodgehim.Rocksandstonesandjaggedpiecesofbrokenwoodhailedon

him.

Eziolookedarounddesperately.Overtohisleft,anescarpmentranuptothe

wall,reachingitperhapstwentyfeetawayfromwherehewas.Ifhecouldswing

fromthescaffoldingandgainenoughmomentumtothrowhimselfacrossthat

distance,therewasafaintchancethathecouldrolldowntheescarpment,atthe

footofwhichhecouldseetheedgeofaclifftop,fromwhichacrumblingstone

bridgestretchedoverachasm,towhereanarrowpathclungtothesideofthe

mountainopposite.

Duckingundertherainofdebrisfromabove,Eziostartedtoswingbackward

andforward,hishandsslippingontheice-smoothwoodofthescaffolding;but

theyheld,andhesoonbuiltupimpetus.

Themomentcamewhenhefelthejustcouldn’tholdonanymore,he’dhave

toriskit,andhesummonedallhisenergyintoonelastpowerfulbackswing,

hurlinghimselfintospaceashisbodymovedforwardagain,andspreadeagled

himselfintheairasheflewtowardtheescarpment.

Helandedheavily,badly,anditwindedhim.Beforehehadtimetorecoverhis

balance,hewastumblingdowntheslope,bouncingofftheroughgroundbut

graduallyabletoguidehisbatteredbodyinthegeneraldirectionofthebridge.

Heknewthiswasvital,forifhedidnotendatexactlytherightspot,hewould

behurledoverthecliff’sedgeintoGodknewwhatvoidbeneath.Andhewas

goingtoofast.Hehadnocontroloverhisspeed.

Buthekepthisnervesomehow,and,atlast,hewasthrowntotheground—ten

feetontothetremblingbridgeitself.

Asuddenthoughtstruckhim:Howoldwasthisbridge?Itwasnarrow,single-

span,andfar,farbelow,Eziocouldhearthecrashingofangrywateroverrocks,

invisibleinthedepthsoftheblackchasmbeneath.

Theshockofhisweightthrownuponithadshakenthebridge.Howlongwas

itsinceanyonehadcrossedit?Itsstoneworkwasalreadycrumbling,weakened

withage,itsmortarrotted;and,ashegottohisfeet,tohishorrorhesawacrack

snapopenrightacrossitswidthnotfivefeetbehindhim.Thecracksoon

widened,andthemasonryoneithersideofitbegantofall,tumblingcrazily

downintothedarkabyss.

AsEziowatched,timeitselfseemedtoslowdown.Therewasnolongerany

retreat.Herealizedimmediatelywhatwasgoingtohappen.Turning,hestarted

tosprint,summoningeverymuscleinhisstrainingbodytothisonelasteffort.

Acrossthebridgetotheothersideheran,thestructurefracturingand

plummetingbehindhim.Twentyyardstogo—ten—hecouldfeelthestonework

plungingawayjustashisheelsleftit.Andatlast,hischestpracticallysplitting

withtheeffortofbreathing,helayuprightagainstthegreyrockofthe

mountainside,hischeekpressedtoit,hisfeetsecureonthenarrowpath,unable

tothink,ordo,anything,listeningtothesoundsofthestonesofthebridgeas

theyfellintothetorrentbelow,listeningtothesoundsebb,andebb,untilthere

wasnothing,nosoundatallbutthewind.

ELEVEN

Gradually,Ezio’sbreathingcalmedandleveled,andtheachesinhismuscles,

forgotteninthecrisis,begantoreturn.Buttherewasmuchtodobeforehecould

allowhisbodytherestitneeded.Whathehadtodowasfeedit.Hehadn’teaten

ordrunkanythingfornearlytwenty-fourhours.

Hebandagedhisgrazedhandsaswellashecould,usingascarfdrawnfrom

withinhistunicandtearingitintwo,andcuppedapalmtocaptureatrickleof

waterthatwasrunningofftherockagainstwhichhischeekwaspressed.Partly

assuaged,hepushedawayfromthesurfacehe’dbeenleaningonandchecked

himselfover.Nobrokenbones,aslightsprainintheleftside,wherehe’dbeen

wounded,butnothingelse,nothingserious.

Hesurveyedthescene.Nooneseemedtohavesetoutinpursuit,butthey

wouldhavewatchedhisfalldowntheescarpmentandhisrunacrossthe

collapsingbridge—perhapstheyhadn’tnoticedthathe’dmadeit—perhaps

they’djustassumedthathehadn’t.Buthecouldn’tdiscountthepossibilitythat

there’dbesearchpartiesout,ifonlytorecoverabody.TheTemplarswould

wanttobequitesurethattheMentoroftheirarchenemieswasindeeddead.

Helookedatthemountainsidenexttohim.Bettertoclimbthantousethe

path.Hedidn’tknowwhereitled,anditwastoonarrowtoaffordhimroomto

maneuverifhehadtofight.Andthemountainlookedclimbable.Atthevery

least,hemightbeabletoreachsomepocketsofsnowandreallyslakehisthirst.

Heshookhimself,grunting,andsetabouthistask.

Hewasgladthathewasdressedindarkcolors,forhehadnoneedtomake

anyefforttoblendwiththerockfacehewascrawlingup.Handholdsand

footholdswereeasytofindatfirstthoughthereweretimeswhenhehadto

stretchhard,timeswhenhismusclesshriekedinprotest,and,once,ashardof

rockflakedoffinhishand,nearlycausinghimtocrashbackdownthehundred

feetorsohe’dalreadycovered.Theworstthing—andthebest—wasthethinbut

constantstreamofwaterthatfellonhimfromabove.Theworst,becausethewet

rockswereslippery;thebest,becauseawaterfallmeantacreek—atthevery

leastacreek—upabove.

Buthalfanhour’sclimbbroughthimtothetopofwhatturnedouttobenota

mountainbutacliff,sincethegroundhefinallyhauledhimselfupontowaslevel

andcoveredwithpatchesofrough,tussockygrass.Akindofall-but-barren

Alpinemeadow,borderedontwosidesbymorewallsofblackandgreyrock,

butopeningwestwardquitesomeway,asfarasEziocouldsee.Amountain

pass,exceptforthefactthat,behindhim,itlednowhere.Perhapsonce,longago,

ithad.Anancientearthquakemightwellhavecausedthecliffshe’djust

climbed,andthegullyintowhichthebridgehadfallen.

Eziospedtoonesideofthelittlevalleytoreconnoiter.Wheretherewere

passes,wheretherewaswater,therecouldalsobepeople.Hewaited,near

motionless,foranotherhalfanhourbeforeventuringforward,shakinghis

musclestokeepthemwarmastheyhadbeguntostiffenwiththelongperiodof

immobility.Hewaswet,hewasgettingcold.Hecouldnotaffordtobeoutthere

fortoolong.ItwasonethingtoescapetheTemplars,buthiseffortwouldbe

wastedifhenowfellvictimtoNature.

Hemovedclosertothestream,locatingitbythechucklingofitswater.

Stoopingbyitsbank,hedrankasmuchashedaredwithoutgluttinghimself.He

followedon.Afewwoodyshrubsbegantoappearbyitsbanks,andsoonhe

cameuponastuntedcoppicebythesideofapool.There,hepaused.Itwouldbe

amiracleiftherewasanythinglivingsohigh,sofarfromthevillagethat

squattedbelowthecastleofMasyaf,anyanimalhecouldcatchandeat;butif

therewasapool,therewasalsothefaintestchancethattheremightbefish.

Hekneltandpeeredintothedepthsofthedarkwater.Stillasafishingheron,

hedisciplinedhimselftobepatient.Andthen,atlast,aripple,afaintone,which

disappearedassoonasithadunsettledthewater’ssurface,butenoughtoshow

himthattherewassomethingaliveinthere.Hecontinuedhiswatch.Littleflies

hoveredlowoverthepool.Someflewoverandharassedhim,attractedbyhis

bodyheat.Notdaringtoswatthemaway,heenduredtheirticklingattentionsand

theirtiny,viciousbites.

Thenhesawit—alarge,plumpbody,thecolorofacorpse,movingsluggishly

sixinchesbelowthesurface.Betterthanhe’ddaredhope—itlookedlikeacarp,

maybe,orsomethingverylikeit.Ashewatched,another,muchdarker,joinedit,

andthenathird,itsscalescopperygold.

Eziowaitedforthemtodowhatheexpectedthemtodo—puttheirsnoutsto

thesurfaceandgulpair.Thatwouldbehismoment.Allhisattentionfocused,he

tensedhisbodyandsteeledhishands.

Thedarkfishmadeitsmove,bubbleseruptedasafatmouthappeared.

Eziosprang.

Andfellback,elated,thebigfishwrigglingfranticallyinhisgraspbutunable

toslideout.Helaiditonthegroundbesidehimanddispatcheditwithastone.

Therewasnowayhecouldcookthis.He’dhavetoeatitraw.Butthenhe

lookedagainatthestonehe’dusedtokillitandrememberedtheshardthathad

flakedoffinhishandduringhisclimb.Flint!Withluck,hecouldstartafire—to

dryhisclothesasmuchastocookwith.Rawfishdidn’tbotherhim—he’dread,

besides,thatsomewhereinanunimaginablecountryfarawaytotheeastthere

wasapeoplewhoactuallyregardeditasadelicacy.Butwetclothingwasquite

anotherthing.Asforthefireitself,he’dtaketherisk.Fromwhathe’dseen,he

wasprobablythefirsthumaninthisvalleyinathousandyears,anditstowering

sideshiditfromviewformiles.

Hegatheredtogethersomebrushwoodfromthecoppice,and,afterafew

moments’experiment,hehadmanagedtostartatinyredglowinahandfulof

grass.Carefully,heplaceditunderapreparedtentoftwigs,burninghimselfas

hisfireimmediatelyflared.Itburnedwell,givingofflittlesmoke,andthatwas

thinandlight,immediatelywhiskedintonothingnessbythebreeze

ForthefirsttimesincehisfirstsightingofMasyaf,Eziosmiled.

Despitethecold,tosavetime,hetookoffhisclothestodrythembythefire

onrudimentarybrushwoodframesasthefishcookedandbubbledonasimple

spit.Lessthananhourlater,thefirekickedoutanditstracesscattered,hefelta

certainwarmthinhisbellyandwasable,soonafterward,todongarmentswhich,

ifnotlaundry-fresh,werewarm,andsufficientlydriedforhimtowear

comfortably.Theywouldhavetofinishdryingasheworethem.Asforhis

exhaustion,thatwouldhavetokeep.He’dresistedthedesiretosleepbythefire

andthepool,afightastoughasanyhe’dhadontheroad,buthewasrewarded

byasecondwind.

Hefeltequaltothetaskofreturningtothecastle.Heneededhisgear,thenhe

neededtounlockthesecretsoftheplaceifhisquestwastomeananything.

Asheretracedhissteps,henoticed,shortlybeforehereachedthecliffhe’d

climbed,thatonthesouthernsideofthevalleyanotherpathwayledupward

alongthesideofthatrockface.Whohadhewnthesepathways?Menfromthe

dawnoftime?Eziohadnoleisuretoponderthisbutwasgratefulthatthisone

wasthere.Itrosesteeplyeastward,backinthedirectionofMasyaf.Eziostarted

toclimb.

Afteranascentofsomefivehundredfeet,thepathendedonanarrow

promontory,whereafewfoundationstonestestifiedtothepresencelongagoof

alookouttower,whereguardswouldhavebeenabletoscanthecountryaround

andgivethecastleadvancewarningofanyapproachingarmyorcaravan.

Lookingeastwardanddown,thegreatcomplexofMasyaf,withitsrearingwalls

andcupola’dtowers,spreadoutbeneathhim.Eziofocusedhard,andhiseyes,as

keenasaneagle’s,begantopickoutthedetailsthatwouldhelphimreturn.

Farbelow,hediscernedaropebridgeacrossthesamechasmformerly

spannedbythestoneonehehadrunacross.Nearitwasaguardpost.Therewas

nootheraccesstothecastle,asfarashecouldsee,fromthesidehewason,but

atthefarsideofthebridge,thewaytothecastlewasrelativelyclear.

Thewaydowntothebridge,onhisside,wasanothermatter.Anall-but-sheer

cascadeofblackrock—enoughtodauntthesurest-footedibex.Anditwasinfull

viewoftheguardpostonthecastlesideofthebridge.

Eziolookedatthesun.Itwasjustpastitszenith.Hecalculateditwouldtake

fourtofivehourstoreachthecastle.Heneededtobeinsidebeforedarknessfell.

Heclambereddownfromthepromontoryandbeganhisdescent,takingit

slowly,takingcarenottodislodgethejumbleoflooserocks,incasethey

tumbleddownthemountainsideandalertedtheTemplarsguardingthebridge.It

wasdelicatework,butthesunwouldbesettingbehindhimand,therefore,

shiningintheeyesofanywatchersbelow,andEziowasgratefulforits

protection.He’dbedownbeforeitsetbehindtherockfacehewason.

Atlasthereachedthesecurityandconcealmentofalargeoutcroponlevel

groundnotfiftyyardsfromthewestsideofthebridge.Ithadgrowncolder,and

thewindwasgettingup.Thebridge—ofblack-tarredrope,withnarrowwooden

slatsasitswalkway—swungandrattled.AsEziowatched,twoguardsemerged

fromthepostandwalkedalittlewaytoandfroontheirsidebutdidnotventure

ontothebridgeitself.Theywerearmedwithcrossbowsandswords.

Thelightwasdullandflat,itwasdifficulttojudgedistances.Butthe

lesseninglightwastoEzio’sadvantage,andheblendedineasilywithhis

surroundings.Likeashadow,crouching,hemadehiswayclosertothebridge,

buttherewouldbenocoveroncehewasonit,andhewasunarmed.

Hepausedoncemoreabouttenfeetaway,watchingtheguards.Theylooked

coldandbored,Ezionotedtohissatisfaction—theywouldnotbealert.Nothing

elsehadchangedexceptthatsomeonehadlitalampwithinthepost,soheknew

thereweremorethantwoofthem.

Butheneededsomekindofweapon.Ontheclimbdownandonhisfinal

approach,hehadbeentoopreoccupiedwithnotgivinghispositionawaytolook

forsomething,buthehadn’tforgottenthatthemountainstonewasflint,and

therewereplentyoflooseshardsathisfeet.Theyglintedblackinthedying

light.Heselectedonewithhiseyes,abladelikeflakeabouttwelveincheslong

andtwowide.Hepickeditupandindoingsowastoohasty,causingother

stonestoclatter.Hefroze.

Buttherewasnoreaction.Thebridgewasthirtyyardsacross.Hecouldbe

halfway,easily,beforetheguardsnoticedhim.Buthe’dhavetomakeamove

immediately.Hebracedhimself,stoodup,andhurledhimselfforward.

Butitwasn’teasygoingoncehewasonthebridge.Itswayedandcreaked

alarminglyinthenow-savagewind,andhehadtograbitsguideropestoretain

hisbalance.Allthatcosttime.Andbythen,theguardshadseenhim.They

shoutedchallenges,whichgainedhimasecondortwo,butseeinghimcomeon,

theyunslungtheirbows,fittedbolts,andfired.Astheydidso,threemore

guards,bowsalreadyprimed,camerushingoutofthepost.

Thebadlightaffectedtheiraim,butitwascloseenough,andEziohadtoduck

anddodge.Atonepointinthemiddleofthebridgeanoldplanksnappedunder

him,andhisfootcaught,buthemanagedtopullitfreebeforehislegsank

throughthegap—thenhewouldhavebeendonefor.Asitwas,hewasluckyto

beabletoavoidmorethanagrazingshotasaboltcaressedhisneck,ripping

throughthebackofhishood.Hecouldfeelitsheatonhisskin.

They’dstoppedfiring,andweredoingsomethingelse.Eziostrainedtosee.

Winches!

Theyhadplentyofslackropeonthewinches,andtheywerepreparingtoletit

go,letitspinoutassoonastheyunlockedthewinches.Theycouldhaulthe

bridgeupagainafterthey’dtumbledhimintothegulfbelow.

Merda,Eziothought,half-running,half-stumbling,forward.Twiceinoneday!

Withfiveyardstogo,hethrewhimselfintotheairasthebridgefellaway

beneathhim,sailingforwardandlandingononeguard,knockinganotherflat,

plungingtheflintbladeintothefirstman’sneckandtryingtobringitoutagain

fast,butitbrokeoffwhereitmusthavesnaggedonbone—thenfindinghisfeet,

spinningaroundashehauledthesecondguard,notyetrecovered,roughly

towardhim,andswiftlydrawingtheman’sownsword,hepulleditbackandran

himthroughwithit.

Theotherthreehadabandonedtheirbowsanddrawntheirownswords,

penninghiminwithhisbacktotheprecipice.Eziothoughtfast.He’dseenno

othermenaround,noonehadgonetoraisethealarm;he’dhavetofinishthese

three,thengetintothecastlebeforeanythingwasdiscovered.Butthemenwere

big,andtheyhadn’tbeenonguard;theywerefreshandrested.

Ezioheftedtheswordinhishand.Helookedfromonefacetotheother.But

whatwasithesawintheireyes?Fear?Wasitfear?

“YouAssassindog!”oneofthemspatthoughhisvoiceallbuttrembled.“You

mustbeinleaguewiththeDevil!”

“IftheDevilisanywhere,he’swithyou,”snarledEzio,throwinghimself

forward,knowingthathecouldtakeadvantageoftheirfear,oftheirfearthathe

wasinsomewayfilledwithasupernaturalforce.Sesolo!

Theyclosedthen,shoutingoathssoloudlythatEziohadtomakehastetocut

themdown,tosilencethem.Theirblowswerewildandpanicky,andthejobwas

quicklydone.

Hedraggedthebodiesintotheguardpost,buttherewasnotimetohaulthe

bridgebackup;besides,thatwasanimpossiblejobforamanalone.Briefly,he

consideredchangingclotheswithoneoftheguards,butthatmighthavewasted

precioustime,andthegatheringdarknesswasonhisside.

Eziostartedupthepathleadingtothecastle,gratefulfortheshadowsthathad

beguntogatheratitssides.

Hereachedthefootofitswallsonitsblindside,unmolested.Thesunhadall

butset,onlyaredglowshowingbehindthedistantcliffsandmountainstothe

west.Itwascold,andthewindinsistent.Thecastle,oldasitwas,hadweathered

stonesandtheyaffordedenoughhandholdsandfootholdsforaclimberwho

knewwhathewasdoing.Ezio,keepinginmindapictureoftheplanofthe

fortress,whichhehadstudiedinRome,drewonthelastreservesofhisenergy

andbegantheascent.Onehundredfeet,hecalculated,andhe’dbewithinthe

outersanctum.Afterthat,heknewwheretheconnectinggatesthatledtothe

innerfortifications,thetowers,andthekeepwere.



Theclimbwasharderthanhe’dthought.Hisarmsandlegsached,andhewished

hehadsomekindofimplementthatwouldhelpextendhisreach,onethatcould

griptheholdsinflexibly,extendingthepowerofhishands.Buthewilledhimself

upward,and,asthelastembersofsunsetdiedbehindtheblackrampartsof

mountain,givingwaytothefirstpalestars,Eziodroppedontoawalkwaythat

ranafewfeetbelowthecrenellationsoftheOuterWall.Fiftyyardsoneither

sideofhimwerewatchtowers,buttheguardsinthemwerelookingoutand

down—therewasacommotion,dimlyheard,fromthedirectionofthe

guardhousebythebridge.

Heraisedhiseyestothekeeptower.Theywouldhavestowedhiskit—his

precioussaddlebagswithhisweapons—inthesecurecellarstoreroombelowit.

Hedroppedfromthewalkwaytotheground,alwayskeepingtotheshadows.

Heboreleft,towardwhereheknewthegategivingaccesstothekeeplay.

TWELVE

Soft-footedasapuma,andeverseekingthedarkestroutes,Ezioreachedhisgoal

withoutfurtherconfrontations.Justaswell,forthelastthinghewantedwas

anothernoisyfight.Iftheyfoundhimagain,theywouldn’tlethimlingerorgive

himtheghostofachanceofescape—they’dkillhimonthespot,skewerhim

likearat.Andtherewerefewguardsabout—allhe’dseenwerethoseonthe

battlements.Theymustallbeout,lookingforhiminthepaleuncertainlight

affordedbythemyriadstars—andtheskirmishattheguardpostwouldhave

madethemredoubletheirefforts,forthathadgiventhemproofbeyonddoubt

thathewasnotdead.

ThereweretwoolderTemplarguardssittingataroughwoodentablenearthe

entrancetothecellarstoreroom,butonthetablewasalargepewterjugofwhat

lookedlikeredwineandtwowoodenbeakers,andtheguardsbothhadtheir

headsandarmsonthetable.Theyweresnoring.Ezioapproachedwithextreme

caution,havingseentheringofkeyshangingatthesideofoneofthemen.

HehadnotforgottenthepickpocketingskillswhichtheAssassinmadame

PaolahadtaughthimasayoungmaninFlorence.Verycarefully,tryingtokeep

thekeysfromjangling—fortheslightestsound,whichmightawakenthemen,

couldspellhisdoom—heliftedtheringand,withhisotherhand,awkwardly

untiedtheleatherthongthatattachedittotheman’sbelt.Atonepointthe

looseningknotsnaggedandstuck,andinEzio’seffortstofreeit,hetuggedtoo

hard,andthemanstirred.Eziobecameastatue,watchingvigilantly,bothhis

handsengagedandunabletomakeamoveforeitherguard’sweapon.Butthe

manmerelysnuffledandwentonsleeping,creasinghisbrowuncomfortably,

perhapsatsomedream.

Atlast,thekeyringwasinEzio’shands,andhecreptstealthilydownthe

torchlitaislebeyondtheguards,lookingattheheavyironcladwoodendoors,

whichranalongeitherside.

Hehadtoworkfast,butitwasalongjob,checkingwhichkeyonthebigsteel

ringfittedintowhatlock,andatthesametimecheckingthatthekeysdidn’t

makeanynoiseashemanipulatedthem.Butatthefifthdoor,hestrucklucky.It

openedintoaveritablearmory,weaponsofvarioussortsstackedneatlyon

woodenshelvesthatranthelengthofthewalls.

He’dtakenatorchfromitssconcenearthedoor,andbyitslighthehadsoon

foundhisbags.Aquickinventoryindicatedthatnothingseemedtohavebeen

taken,oreven,asfarashecouldsee,touched.Hebreathedasighofrelief

becausethesewerethelastthingshewantedtheTemplarstogettheirhandson.

TheTemplarshadsomegoodmindsworkingforthem,anditwouldhavebeen

disastrousifthey’dbeenabletocopythehidden-blades.

Hegavethemabriefinspection.He’dtraveledwithonlywhatheconsidered

tobehisessentialgear,andhefound,afterdouble-checking,thateverything

he’dbroughtwithhimwasdefinitelyinplace.Hebuckledonthescimitar,

drawingittomakesureitsbladewasstillkeen,thensliditintoitsscabbard,

slammingitfirmlyhome.Hestrappedthebracertohisleftarmandthe

unbrokenhidden-bladetohisleftwrist.Thebrokenbladeanditsharnesshe

stowedinthebags—hewasn’tgoingtoleavethatfortheTemplars,eveninits

currentstate,andtherewasalwaysthechancethathe’dbeabletogetitrepaired.

Buthe’dcrossthatbridgewhenhecametoit.Hestoredthespring-loadedpistol

withitsammunitioninthebagsand,takingasmuchtimeashedared,tookout

hisparachuteandcheckedthatithadn’tbeendamaged.Theparachutewasnew

—aninventionofLeonardo’sthathehadn’tusedinactionyet.Butthepractice

runshe’dmadewithithadmorethanproveditspotential.

Hefoldedthetentlikestructureupneatlyandreturnedittotherestofhiskit,

slingingthebagsoverhisshoulderandstrappingthemsecurely,andmadehis

waybackthewayhe’dcome,pastthestill-sleepingguards.Onceoutside,he

startedtoclimb.

Helocatedasecludedvantagepointonahighturretofthekeep.He’dselected

theplacebecauseitoverlookedMasyaf’sreargarden,underwhich,ifhis

researchonthecastleplanshadbeencorrect,theTemplarswouldbe

concentratingtheireffortstolocatethelibraryofthegreatAssassinMentor,

Altaïr,who’druledtheBrotherhoodfromherethreecenturiesago.The

legendarylibraryoftheAssassins,andthesourceofalltheirknowledgeand

power,ifhisfather’sletterwastobebelieved.

Eziohadnodoubtatallthatnothinglessthanasearchforitwouldexplainthe

Templars’presenceinthecastle.

Ontheedgeoftheturret’souterwall,lookingdownatthegarden,wasthe

largestonestatueofaneagle,wingsfolded,butsolifelikethatitappearedtobe

abouttotakeflightandswoopdownonsomeunsuspectingprey.Withhishands,

hetestedthestatue.Forallitsweight,itrockedveryslightlywhenheapplied

pressuretoit.

Perfect.

Eziotookuphispositionbytheeagleandpreparedtosettledownfortherest

ofthenight,knowingnothingwouldhappenbeforedawnandrealizingthatifhe

didnottakethatopportunitytorest,hewouldnotbeabletoactwithefficiency

whenthemomentcame.TheTemplarsmighthavetakenhimforsomekindof

demidevil,butheknewonlytoowellthathewasjustaman,likeanyother.

Butbeforeherested,asuddendoubtassailedhim,andhescannedthegarden

below.Therewasnosignofanyexcavations.Coulditbethathewasmistaken?

Drawingonthelessonshehadlearnedandthepowershehaddevelopedin

training,hefocusedhiseyessothattheyassumedthepowerofaneagle’sand

examinedthegroundbeneathhimminutely.Byconcentratinghard,hewasat

lastabletodiscernadullglowemanatingfromasectionofmosaicflooringina

once-ornamental,now-overgrownbowerimmediatelybeneath.Satisfied,he

smiledandrelaxed.ThemosaicdepictedanimageofthegoddessMinerva.



ThesunhadscarcelybrushedthebattlementstotheeastwhenEzio,refreshedby

hisshortsleepandalert,crouchedbythestoneeagle,knowingthatthemoment

hadcome.Healsoknewthathehadtoactfast—everymomenthespentthere

increasedtheriskofdetection.TheTemplarswouldnothavegivenuponhim

yet,andtheywouldbefiredupwithhatred—hisescape,whentheyhadhimin

theverygripofdeath,wouldhaveleftthemhowlingforvengeance.

Eziogaugeddistancesandangles,andwhenhewassatisfied,heplacedhis

bootagainstthestoneeagleandgavethestatueagood,hardpush.Itrockedon

itsplinthandfelloutandawayovertheparapet,tumblingendoverendtoward

themosaicfloorfarbelow.Eziobarelywatcheditforasecond,toverifyits

course,beforehethrewhimselfintotheairafterit,executingaLeapofFaith.It

wassometimesincehehadperformedone,andnowtheoldexhilaration

returned.

Downtheyfell,theeaglefirst,Ezioplummetinginthesametrajectoryfifteen

feetaboveit.Towardwhatlookedlikeverysolidground.

Eziodidn’thavetimetopraythathehadn’tmadeamistake.Ifhehad,the

timeforpraying—foreverything—wouldsoonbeover.

Theeaglelandedfirst,inthecenterofthemosaic.

Forasplitsecond,itseemedasiftheeaglehadsmashedtopieces,butitwas

themosaicthathadshattered,revealingbeneathitalargeaperturereaching

downintotheearth,throughwhichtheeagle,andEzio,fell.Hewascaught

immediatelyonachutethattraveleddeeperintothegroundatanangleofsome

forty-fivedegrees,andhesliddownitfeetfirst,steeringhimselfwithhisarms,

hearingthestoneeaglethunderingitswayaheadofhim,until,withamighty

splash,ittumbledintoalargesubterraneanpool.Eziofollowed.

Whenhesurfaced,hecouldseethatthepoolwasinthemiddleofagreat

antechamberofsomekind.Anantechamber,becauseitsarchitecturalfocuswas

adoor.Adoorofdarkgreenstone,polishedsmoothbytime.

Eziowasnotalone.ApartyofTemplarsonthegraniteembankmentofthe

lakenearthedoorhadturnedatthesightandsoundofthecrashingintrusionand

werewaitingforhim,yelling,swordsattheready.Withthemwasamanin

workmen’sclothes,adustycanvasapronwrappedroundhiswaistandaleather

toolbagonhisbelt.Astonemason,bythelookofhim.Ahammerandalarge

stonechiselhunginhishandsashewatched,mouthagape.

EziohauledhimselfupontotheembankmentasTemplarguardshurried

forwardtorainblowsdownonhim,buthefendedthemofflongenoughtogetto

hisfeet.Thenhebracedhimselfandfacedthem.

Hesensedtheirfearagainandtookadvantageoftheirmomentaryhesitation

toattackfirst.Hedrewhisscimitarfirmlywithhisrighthandandunleashedthe

hidden-bladebeneathhisleft.Intwoswiftstrokestorightandleft,hebrought

thenearestmendown.Theotherscircled,justoutofreach,takingturnstomake

suddenstabsathim,likestrikingvipers,hopingtodisorienthim.

Buttheireffortsweren’tsufficientlyconcerted.Eziomanagedtodrivehis

shoulderagainstone,pitchinghimintothepool.Hesankalmostimmediately,its

blackwaterscuttingoffhisanguishedcryforhelp.Swingingroundandkeeping

low,Eziohurledafourthmanoverhisbackontothegranite.Hishelmetflewoff

andhisskullcrackedwithanoiselikeagunshotonthediamond-hardstone.

Thesurvivingfifthman,aTemplarcorporal,barkedadesperateordertothe

workman,buttheworkmandidnothing,toopetrifiedtomove.Then,seeingEzio

turnonhim,thecorporalbackedaway,hismouthslavering,untilthewallbehind

himarrestedhisretreat.Ezioapproached,intendingmerelytoknocktheTemplar

unconscious,butthenthecorporal,who’dbeenwaitingforhismoment,strucka

treacherousdaggerblowtowardEzio’sgroin.Eziosidesteppedandseizedthe

manbytheshoulder,nearthethroat.

“Iwouldhavesparedyou,friend.Butyougivemenochoice.”Withoneswift

strokeofhisrazor-sharpscimitar,Ezioseveredtheman’sheadfromhisbody.

“RequiescatinPace,”hesaid,softly.

Thenheturnedtothestonemason.

THIRTEEN

ThemanwasaboutEzio’sage,butrunningtofatandnotinthegreatestshape.

Atthemoment,hewastremblinglikeanoutsizeaspen.

“Don’tkillme,sir!”themanpleaded,cowering.“I’maworkingman,that’s

all.Justsomepoornobodywithafamilytolookafter.”

“Gotaname?”

“Adad,sir.”

“Whatkindofworkisityoudo?Forthesepeople?”Eziostoopedtowipehis

bladesonthetunicofthedeadcorporalandsheathedthem.Adadrelaxeda

fraction.Hewasstillholdinghishammerandchisel,andEziohadkeptacareful

eyeonthem,butthestonemasonseemedtohaveforgottentheywereinhis

hands.

“Digging,mostly.Wretchedhardworkitis,too,sir.It’stakenmeayearjust

tofindthischamberalone.”AdadscannedEzio’sface,butifhe’dbeenlooking

forsympathy,hehadn’tfoundit.Afteramoment’ssilence,hewenton.“Forthe

pastthreemonths,I’vebeentryingtobreakthroughthisdoor.”

Ezioturnedawayfromthemanandexaminedthedoorhimself.“Youhaven’t

mademuchprogress,”hecommented.

“Ihaven’tmadeadent!Thisstoneisharderthansteel.”

Ezioranahandacrosstheglass-smoothstone.Theseriousnessofhis

expressiondeepened.“Idoubtifyoueverwill.Thisdoorguardsobjectsmore

valuablethanallthegoldintheworld.”

Nowthatthemenaceofdeathwaspast,theman’seyesgleamedinvoluntarily

“Ah!Doyoumean—gemstones?”

Ezioregardedhimmockingly.Thenheturnedhisgazetothedoorand

examineditclosely.“Therearekeyholeshere.Fiveofthem.Wherearethe

keys?”

“Theytellmelittle.ButIknowtheTemplarsfoundonebeneaththeOttoman

sultan’spalace.Asfortheothers,Isupposetheirlittlebookwilltellthem.”

Eziolookedathimsharply.“SultanBayezid’spalace?Andwhatisthis

book?”

Themasonshrugged.“Ajournalofsomekind,Ithink.Thatuglycaptain,the

onewiththescarredface,hecarriesitwithhimwhereverhegoes.”

Ezio’seyesnarrowed.Hethoughtfast.Thenheappearedtorelax,and,taking

asmalllinenpouchfromhistunic,hetossedittoAdad.Itjingledastheman

caughtit.

“Gohome,”saidEzio.“Findotherwork—withhonestmen.”

Adadlookedpleased,thendoubtful.“Youdon’tknowhowmuchI’dliketo.

I’dlovetoleavethisplace.Butthesemen—theywillmurdermeifItry.”

Ezioturnedslightly,peeringbackupthechutebehindhim.Athinrayoflight

camedownit.

Heturnedbacktothemason.“Packyourtools,”hesaid.“Youwillhave

nothingtofearnow.”

FOURTEEN

Stickingtotheless-frequentedstairwaysandcorridorsofthecastle,Ezio

regainedthehighbattlementsunseen,hisbreathpluminginthecoldair.He

madehiswayroundthemtoapointthatoverlookedthevillageofMasyaf,

crouchinginthecastle’sshadow.Heknewtherewouldbenowayofleavingthe

castlebyeitherofitsheavilyguardedgates,buthehadtotrackdownthe

scarred,shaven-headedcaptain.Heguessedthatthemanwouldbeoutside,

supervisingthesearchfortheescapedAssassin.Templarswouldbescouringthe

countryside,whichexplainedtherelativeabsenceofmenwithintheconfinesof

thefortress.Inanycase,Ezioknewthatthenextstepinhismissionlaybeyond

Masyaf’swalls.Butfirsthehadtoleavetheplace.

Oncehehadaclearviewofthevillage,hecouldseethatTemplarguardswere

makingtheirroundsofit,interrogatingitsinhabitants.Makingsurethatthesun

wasathisback,obscuringanyclearviewofhimfrombelow,heunstrappedhis

bagsandtookouttheparachute,unfoldingitanderectingitwithasmuchspeed

ascarewouldallow,forhislifewoulddependonit.Thedistancewastoofarand

thedescenttoodangerousforeventhemostdaringLeapofFaith.

Theparachutetooktheformofatriangulartent,orpyramid,ofstrongsilk,

heldinplacebystrutsofthinsteel.Ezioattachedtheropefromeachofitsfour

cornerstoaquick-releaseharness,whichhebuckledroundhischest,then,

pausingtogaugethewindandtoensurethatnoonebelowwaslookingup,

hurledhimselfintotheair.

ItwouldhavebeenanexhilaratingfeelingifEziohadhadtheleisuretoenjoy

it,butheconcentratedonguidingthedevice,usingtheconvectioncurrentsand

thermalsasbesthecould,imitatinganeagle,andbroughthimselftoasafe

landingadozenyardsfromthenearestbuilding.Swiftlystowingtheparachute,

hemadehiswayintothevillage.

Sureenough,theTemplarswerebusyharassingthevillagers,pushingthem

aroundandbeatingthemwithoutmercyiftheyshowedtheslightestsignofnot

answeringclearlyandinstantly.Ezioblendedinwiththepeopleofthevillage,

listeningandwatching.

OneoldmanwaspleadingformercyasaTemplarbravostoodoverhis

coweringform.“Helpme,please!”hebeggedanyonewhowouldlisten,butno

onewas.

“Speak,dog!”theTemplarshouted.“Whereishe?”Elsewhere,ayounger

manwasbeingbeatenbytwothugsevenasheimploredthemtostaytheirhand.

Anothercried,“Iaminnocent!”ashewasclubbedtotheground.

“Whereishehiding?”snarledhisassailants.

Itwasn’tonlythemenwhowerebeingcruellyhandled.TwootherTemplar

cowardshelddownawomanasathirdkickedhermercilessly,stiflinghercries

asshewrithedontheground,piteouslybeseechingthemtostop:“Iknow

nothing!Pleaseforgiveme!”

“BringustheAssassin,andnofurtherharmwillcometoyou,”sneeredher

tormentor,bringinghisfaceclosetohers.“Otherwise...”

Eziowatched,achingtoassistbutforcinghimselftoconcentrateonhissearch

forthecaptain.Hearrivedatthefrontgateofthevillagejustintimetoseethe

objectofhissearchmountingahorse-drawnwagon.Thecaptainwasinsucha

hurrytobegonethatheflungthedriveroutofhisseat,ontotheground.

“Getoutofmyway!”hebellowed.“Fíyeapóbrostámou!”

Seizingthereins,thecaptainglaredaroundhimathistroops.“Noneofyou

leaveuntiltheAssassinisdead,”hesnarled.“Doyouunderstand?Findhim!”

He’dbeenspeakingGreek,Ezioregistered.Formerly,Eziohadmostlyheard

ItalianandArabic.Couldthecaptain,atleast,beaByzantine,amongthis

Templarcrew?AdescendantofthosedrivenintoexilewhenConstantinoplefell

totheswordofSultanMehmed,sixty-fiveyearsago?Ezioknewthattheexiles

hadestablishedthemselvesinthePeloponnesesoonafterward,but,evenafter

they’dbeenoverruntherebythetriumphantOttomans,pocketsstillsurvivedin

AsiaMinorandtheNearEast.

Hesteppedforward,intotheopen.

Thesoldierslookedathimnervously.

“Sir!”saidoneoftheboldersergeants.“Heseemstohavefoundus.”

Forreply,thecaptainseizedthewhipfromitssocketbythedriver’sseatand

lashedhishorsesforward,yelling,“Go!Go!”Ezio,seeingthis,explodedintoa

run.Templartroopstriedtoimpedehim,but,drawinghisscimitar,hecuthis

wayimpatientlythroughthem.Makingadiveforthefast-disappearingwagon,

hejustmissedgainingaholdonitbutmanagedtoseizeatrailingropeinstead.

Thewagoncheckedforaninstant,thensurgedforward,draggingEziowithit.

Painfully,Eziostartedtohaulhimselfhandoverhanduptheropetowardthe

wagon,whilebehindhimheheardthenoiseofthunderinghooves.Acoupleof

soldiershadmountedhorsesthemselvesandwerehotonhisheels,swords

raised,strivingtogetcloseenoughtocuthimdown.Astheyrode,they

screamedwarningstothecaptain,wholashedhisownhorsesintoanevenmore

furiousgallop.Meanwhile,another,lighterwagonhadsetoffinpursuitandwas

swiftlydrawinglevel.

Crashingacrosstheroughterrain,Eziocontinuedtohaulhimselfuptherope.

Hewaswithintwofeetofthewagon’stailgatewhenthetworidersbehindhim

closedin.Heduckedhishead,waitingforablow,butthehorsemenhadbeentoo

hasty,andconcentratedmoreontheirquarrythantheirriding.Theirmounts

collidedsickeninglyinchesbehindEzio’sheels,andfell,inapandemoniumof

screaminghorses,cursingriders,anddust.

Straininghard,Ezioforcedhisachingarmstomakeonefinaleffort,and,

breathingheavily,hewrenched,ratherthanpulled,himselfthelastfootontothe

wagon,whereheclungforamoment,motionless,hisheadswimming,catching

hisbreath.

Meanwhile,thesecondwagonhaddrawnabreastofthefirst,andthecaptain

wasfranticallysignalingthemenaboardtobringitincloser.Butassoonasthey

haddoneso,thecaptainleaptfromhiswagontotheirs,pushingitsdriverfrom

hisseat.Withadullcry,themanfelltothegroundfromthespeedingvehicle,

hittingarockandricochetingoffitwithanappallingthud,beforelyinginert,his

headtwistedroundatanunnaturalangle.

Gainingcontroloftheplunginghorses,thecaptainracedforwardandaway,as

Ezio,inhisturn,scrambledtothefrontofthewagonhewasonandseizedthe

reins,hisarmmusclesyellinginprotestashehauledonthemtosteadyhisown

team.Histwohorses,foam-fleckedandwild-eyed,bloodgatheringatthebitsin

theirmouths,neverthelesskeptuptheirgallop,andEzioremainedinthechase.

Seeingthis,thecaptainsteeredtowardanoldopengateacrosstheroad,

supportedbycrumblingbrickcolumns.Hemanagedtosideswipeoneofthese

withouthinderinghisonwardrush,andthecolumnsmasheddowninawelterof

masonry,directlyinfrontofEzio.Ezioheavedatthereins,drawinghisteamto

therightinthenickoftime,andhiswagonbumpedandcrashedofftheroadinto

thescrublandatitsedgeashestruggledtobringhishorsesbackaroundtothe

left,toregainthebeatentrack.Dustandsmallstonesfleweverywhere,cutting

Ezio’scheeksandmakinghimsqueezehiseyesintoslitstoprotectthemand

keepfocusedonhisquarry.

“Gotohell,damnyou!”screechedthecaptainoverhisshoulder.Andnow

Eziocouldseethatthesoldiershangingonprecariouslyinthebackofthefirst

wagonwerepreparingbombstohurlathim.

Zigzaggingasbesthecouldtoavoidtheexplosions,whichwentoffonboth

sidesofhimandbehindhim,Eziofoughthardtokeepcontrolofhisterrified

and,bynow,all-but-stampedingteam.Butthebombshadfailedtofindtheir

mark,andhekeptontrack.

Thecaptaintriedadifferenttacticandadangerousone.

Hesuddenlyslowed,fallingback,sothatEzio,beforehecouldmakea

countermove,drewlevel.Immediately,thecaptaincausedhisteamtoswerveso

thathiswagoncrashedbroadsideintoEzio’s.

Eziocouldseethewhitesofthecaptain’shalf-crazedeyes,thescarlivid

acrosshisstrainedface,astheyglaredateachotherthroughtheswirlingair.

“Die,youbastard!”yelledthecaptain.

Thenheglancedahead.Eziofollowedhisgazeandsaw,upahead,aguard

towerand,beyondit,anothervillage.Thisvillagewaslargerthantheoneat

Masyafandpartiallyfortified.AnoutlyingTemplarstronghold.

Thecaptainmanagedtocoaxonemoreburstofspeedfromhishorses,andas

hedrewawaywithacryoftriumph,hismenthrewtwomorebombs.Thistime

oneofthemexplodedbeneaththeleft-handrearwheelofEzio’swagon.The

blastthrewthevehiclehalfwayintotheair,andEziowasthrownclearashis

horsesmadesoundslikebansheesandplungedawayoffintothescrubland,

draggingtheremainsoftheruinedwagonbehindthem.Thelandfellaway

sharplytotherightoftheroad,andEziowaspitchedtwentyfeetdownintoa

gully,wherealargeoutcropofthornyshrubsbrokehisfallandhidhim.

Helayprone,lookingattheunforgivinggreygroundinchesfromhisface,

unabletomove,unabletothink,butfeelingthateveryboneinhisbodyhadbeen

broken.Heclosedhiseyesandwaitedfortheend.

FIFTEEN

Ezioheardvoices,faraway,ashelayinakindofdream.Hethoughthesawthe

youngmaninwhiteagain,themanwhomhe’dseenatthetimeoftheambush

andagainwhenhewasonthemakeshiftscaffold,buthecouldn’tbesure.Who

hadneitherhelpednorhinderedhim,butwhoseemedtobeonhisside.Others

cameandwent:hislong-deadbrothers,FedericoandPetruccio;Claudia;his

fatherandmother;and—unbiddenandunwanted—thebeautiful,cruelfaceof

CaterinaSforza.

Thevisionsfaded,butthevoicesremained,strongernow,ashisothersenses

returnedtohim.Hetastedsoilinhismouthandsmelledtheearthagainstwhich

hischeeklay.Theachesandpainsinhisbodyreturned,too.Hethoughthe’d

neverbeabletomoveagain.

Thevoiceswereindistinct,comingfromabove.HeimaginedtheTemplars

wereleaningovertheedgeofthelittlecliffhe’dfallendownbutrealizedthat

theycouldn’tseehim.Thethickshrubsmustbeconcealinghisbody.

Hewaitedawhile,untilthevoicesfinallyreceded,andsilencefell.Then,

tentatively,heflexedhishandsandfeet,thenhisarmsandlegs,as,gratefully,he

spatoutthedirt.

Nothingseemedtobebroken.Slowly,painfully,hewormedhiswayoutofthe

bushesandgottohisfeet.Then,cautiously,andkeepingtowhatcoverthere

was,heclamberedbacktotheroad.

HewasjustintimetoseetheTemplarcaptainpassingthroughthegateinthe

wallsofthefortifiedvillage,acoupleofhundredyardsaway.Keepingtothe

sideoftheroadwherebushesgrewandhecouldconcealhimself,hebrushed

himselfoffandstartedtowalktowardthevillage,butitseemedasifevery

muscleinhimprotested.

“Thisusedtobesoeasy,”hemurmuredtohimself,ruefully.Buthewilled

himselfonwardand,skirtingthewall,foundalikelyplacetoclimbit.

Havingstuckhisheadovertheparapettocheckthathewasunobserved,he

pulledhimselfoveranddroppedintothevillage.Hefoundhimselfinthe

stockyard,emptyexceptforapairofheiferswhichshuntedofftooneside,

eyeinghimwarily.Hetooktimetowait,incasethereweredogs,butaftera

minute,hepassedthroughthewicketofthestockyardand,followingthesound

ofraisedvoices,madehiswaythroughtheapparentlydesertedvillagetoward

them.Nearingthevillagesquare,hecaughtsightofthecaptainandsteppedout

ofsightbehindashed.Thecaptain,standingonthetopofalowtoweratone

cornerofthesquare,wasberatingtwounhappysergeants.Beyondthem,the

assembledvillagersstoodmutelyby.Thecaptain’swordswerepunctuatedby

thechop-chopofawaterwheelontheotherside,workedbytherivuletthatran

throughthevillage.

“Iseemtobetheonlyonearoundherewhoknowshowtohandleahorse,”

thecaptainwassaying.“Untilwe’resurehe’sdeadthistime,Icommandyou

nottodropyourguardforamoment.Doyouunderstand?”

“Yessir,”themenansweredsullenly.

“Howmanytimeshaveyoufailedtokillthatman,hmn?”thecaptain

continuedangrily.“Listenupandlistenclose:IfIdonotseehisheadrollingin

thedustatmyfeetwithinthehour,yourswilltakeitsplace!”

Thecaptainfellsilentand,turning,watchedtheroadfromhisvantagepoint.

Eziocouldseethathewasnervous.Hefiddledwiththecockingleverofhis

crossbow.

Eziohadmadehiswayintothecrowdofvillagersduringthecaptain’stirade,

blendinginwiththemasbesthecould,which,givenhisbatteredand

downtroddenappearance,wasn’tdifficult.Butthecrowdwasbreakingup,

returningtowork.Themoodamongthepeoplewasnervous,andwhenamanin

frontofhimsuddenlystumbled,jostlinganother,thesecondturnedonhim

irritably,snapping:“Hey,getoutofmyway—getamoveon!”

Hisattentioncaughtbythedisturbance,thecaptainscannedthecrowd,andin

aninstanthiseyecaughtEzio’s.

“You!”heshouted.Inanothermomenthehadcockedhisbow,fittedabolt,

andfired.

Eziododgeditadroitly,anditflewpasthim,toembeditselfinthearmofthe

manwho’dsnapped.

“Aiëë!”heyelped,clutchinghisshatteredbiceps.

Eziodartedforcoverasthecaptainreloaded.

“Youwillnotleavethisplacealive!”thecaptainbawled,firingagain.This

time,theboltstuckharmlesslyinawoodendoorframe,whichEziohadducked

behind.Buttherewasverylittlewrongwiththecaptain’sshooting.Sofar,Ezio

hadbeenlucky.Hehadtogetaway,andfast.Twomoreboltssangpasthim.

“There’snowayout!”thecaptaincalledafterhim.“Youmightaswellturn

andfaceme,youpitifulolddog.”Hefiredagain.

Eziodrewabreathandleapttocatchholdofthelintelofanotherdoorway,

swinginghimselfupsothathewasabletogetontotheflatclayroofofa

dwelling.Heranacrossittotheothersideasanotherboltwhistledpasthisear.

“Standyourgroundanddie,”holleredthecaptain.“Yourtimehascome,and

youmustacceptit,evenifitisfarawayfromyourwretchedkennelinRome!So

comeandmeetyourkiller!”

Eziocouldseewheresoldierswererunningaroundtothebackofthevillage,

tocutoffhislineofretreat.Buttheyhadleftthecaptainisolated,exceptforhis

twosergeants,andhisquiverofboltswasempty.

Thevillagershadscatteredanddisappearedlongsince.

Ezioduckedbehindthelowwallsurroundingtheroof,unstrappedhisbags

fromhisback,andslippedthepistolharnessontohisrightwrist.

“Whywillyounotquit?!”thecaptainwascalling,drawinghissword.

Eziostood.“Ineverlearnedhow,”hecalledbackinaclearvoice,raisinghis

gun.

Thecaptainlookedattheraisedweaponinmomentarypanicandfear,then,

shrieking“Outofmyway!”athisattendants,heshovedthemasideandleapt

fromthetowertotheground.Eziofiredandcaughthiminmidjump,thebullet

catchinghimintheleftkneejoint.Withahowlofpain,thecaptainhitthe

ground,dashinghisheadagainstasharpstone,androlledoverthere.The

sergeantsfled.

Eziocrossedthedesertedsquare.Nosoldierscameback.Eithertheirfearof

Eziohadpersuadedthemthathewasindeedasupernaturalbeing,ortheirlove

oftheircaptaincouldnothavebeenverygreat.Therewassilenceexceptforthe

steadyclatterofthewaterwheel,andthecaptain’sagonizedwhimpering.

ThecaptaincaughtEzio’seyeasheapproached.“Ah,dammit,”hesaid.

“Well,whatareyouwaitingfor?Goon—killme!”

“YouhavesomethingIneed,”Eziotoldhimcalmly,reloadinghisgunsothat

bothchamberswereready.Thecaptaineyedtheweapon.

“Iseetheoldhoundstillhashisbite,”hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.Blood

flowedfromhiskneeandfromthemoreseriouswoundonhislefttemple.

“Thebookyoucarry.Whereisit?”

Thecaptainlookedcrafty.“NiccolòPolo’soldjournal,youmean?Youknow

aboutthat?Yousurpriseme,Assassin.”

“Iamfullofsurprises,”Ezioreplied.“Giveittome.”

Seeingtherewasnohelpforit,thecaptain,grunting,drewanoldleather-

boundbook,sometwelveinchesbysix,fromhisjerkin.Hishandwasshaking,

andhedroppeditontotheground.

Thecaptainlookedatitwithalaughthatdied,gurgling,inhisthroat.“Take

it,”hesaid.“Wehavegleanedallitssecretsandfoundthefirstofthefivekeys

already.Whenwehavetherest,theGrandTemple,andallthepowerwithin,will

beours.”

Eziolookedathimpityingly.“Youaredeceived,soldier.Thereisnoancient

templeatMasyaf.Onlyalibrary,fullofwisdom.”

Thecaptainlookedathim.“YourforebearAltaïrhadtheAppleofEdeninhis

controlforsixtyyears,Ezio.Hegainedmuchmorethanwhatyoucallwisdom.

Helearned...everything!”

Eziothoughtaboutthatfleetingly.HeknewtheApplewassafelyburiedina

churchcryptinRome—heandMachiavellihadseentothat.Buthisattention

wasdrawnbackimmediatelybyasharpgaspofpainfromthecaptain.Blood

hadbeenstreamingfromhisuntendedwoundsallthetimetheyhadbeen

speaking.Nowthemanhadthedeathpalloronhim.Acuriouslypeaceful

expressioncameoverhisface,andhelaybackasahugelong,last,sighing

breathescapedhim.

Eziowatchedhimforamoment.“Youwerearealbastardo,”hesaid.“But—

forallthat—RequiescatinPace.”

Heleanedforwardandgentlyclosedtheman’seyeswithhisglovedhand.

Thewaterwheelhammeredon.Otherwise,therewassilence.

Eziopickedupthebookandturneditoverinhishands.Onitscover,hesaw

anembossedsymbol,itsgildinglongsincefaded.TheemblemoftheAssassin

Brotherhood.Smilingslightly,heopenedittothetitlepage:



LACROCIATASEGRETA

NiccolòPolo



MASYAF,giugno,MCCLVII

COSTANTINOPOLI,gennaio,MCCLVII



Asheread,Eziodrewinabreath.

Constantinople,hethought.Ofcourse...

SIXTEEN

Thebreezefreshened,andEziolookedupfromNiccolòPolo’sbook,openon

hislapashesatunderanawningontheafterdeckofthelarge,broad-bellied

baghlah,asitcutthroughtheclearbluewateroftheWhiteSea,bothlateensand

jibsettotakefulladvantageofafavorablewind.

ThejourneyfromLatakiaontheSyriancoasthadfirsttakenhimbackto

Cyprus.ThenextportofcallhadbeenRhodes—wherehisattentionhadbeen

caughtbythearrivalonboardofanewpassenger,abeautifulwomanofperhaps

thirtywearingagreendressthatperfectlyaccordedwithhercopper-goldhair.

ThenonthroughtheDodecanesenorthtowardtheDardanelles,and,atlast,the

SeaofMarmara.

Finally,thevoyagewasdrawingtowarditsclose.Sailorscalledtoeachother

aspassengerslinedupalongthegunwaletowatchas,amiledistant,glitteringin

thesharpsunlight,thegreatcityofConstantinopleroseontheportbow.Ashe

watched,Eziotriedtoidentifypartsofthecityfromthemapofithehadbought

intheSyrianportbeforeembarkation.Nearhimstoodanexpensivelydressed

youngman,anOttoman,probablystillinhisteensbutalsoclearlyacquainted

withthecity.Eziohadstruckupanoddingacquaintancewithhim.Theyoung

manwasbusywithamariner’sastrolabe,takingmeasurementsandmaking

notesinanivory-boundcopybook,whichhungonasilkcordfromhisbelt.

“What’sthat?”Ezioasked,pointing.Hewantedtohaveasmuchknowledge

oftheplaceaspossiblebeforelanding.NewsofhisescapefromtheTemplarsat

Masyafwouldnotbefarbehind,andhe’dneedtoworkfast.

“That’stheBayezidQuarter.Thebigmosqueyoucanseewasbuiltbythe

sultanaboutfiveyearsago.Andjustbeyondityoucanseetheroofsofthe

GrandBazaar.”

“Gotit,”saidEzio,squintinginthesuntofocusandwishingthatLeonardo

hadgotaroundtomakingthatinstrumenthewasalwaystalkingabout—akind

ofextendabletubewithlenses—whichwouldmakedistantthingsseemcloser.

“WatchyoursleevepursewhenyougototheBazaar,”advisedtheyoung

man.“Yougetaprettymixedbagofpeoplethere.”

“Likeinanysouk.”

“Evet.”Theyoungmansmiled.“Justoverthere,wherethetowersare,isthe

ImperialDistrict.ThatgreydomeyoucanseeistheoldchurchofHaghiaSofia.

It’samosquenow,ofcourse.Andbeyondit,youseethatlong,low,yellow

building—moreofacomplexofbuildings,really—withtwolowdomesclose

togetherandaspire?That’sTopkapiSarayi.Oneofthefirstbuildingsweerected

aftertheconquest,andwe’restillworkingonit.”

“IsSultanBayezidinresidence?”

Theyoungman’sfacedarkenedslightly.“Heshouldbe—butno—heisnot.

Notatthemoment.”

“Imustvisitit.”

“You’dbettermakesureyouhaveaninvitationfirst!”

Thebreezeslackened,andthesailsrippled.Thesailorsfurledthejib.The

masterbroughttheship’sheadaroundslightly,bringinganotheraspectofthe

cityintoview.

“Youseethatmosquethere?”theyoungmancontinued,asifanxioustotake

theconversationawayfromTopkapiPalace.“That’stheFatihCamii—thefirst

thingSultanMehmedhadbuilt,tocelebratehisvictoryovertheByzantines.Not

thattherewasmuchofthemleftbythetimehegothere.Theirempirewas

alreadylongdead.ButhewantedhismosquetosurpassHaghiaSofia.Asyou

cansee,hedidn’tquitemakeit.”

“Notforwantoftrying,”saidEziodiplomatically,ashiseyesscannedthe

magnificentbuilding.

“Mehmedwaspiqued,”theyoungmancontinued.“Thestorygoesthathehad

thearchitect’sarmcutoffasapunishment.But,ofcourse,that’sjustalegend.

SinanwasfartoogoodanarchitectforMehmedtowanttodamagehim.”

“Yousaidthesultanwasnotinresidence,”Ezioprompted,gently.

“Bayezid?No.”Theyoungman’stroubledlookreturned.“Agreatman,the

sultan,thoughthefireofhisyouthhasbeenreplacedbyquietnessandpiety.But,

alas,heisatoddswithoneofhissons—Selim—andthathasmeantawar

betweenthem,whichhasbeensimmeringforyearsnow.”

Thebaghlahwassailingalongunderthesouthernwallsofthecityandsoon

roundedthecornernorthintotheBosphorus.Shortlyafterward,agreatinlet

openedoutontheportside,andtheshipsteeredintoit,overthegreatchainthat

hungacrossitsmouth.Ithadbeenlowered,butcouldberaisedtoclosethe

harborintimesofemergencyorwar.

“Thechainhasbeenindisusesincetheconquest,”theyoungmanobserved.

“Afterall,itdidnotstopMehmed.”

“Butausefulsafetymeasure,”Ezioreplied.

“WecallthistheHaliç,”saidtheyoungman.“TheGoldenHorn.Andthereon

thenorthsideistheGalataTower.YourGenoesecountrymenbuiltitabouta

hundredandfiftyyearsago.Mindyou,theycalledittheChristeaTurris.But

theywould,wouldn’tthey?AreyoufromGenoayourself?”

“I’maFlorentine.”

“Ahwell,can’tbehelped.”

“It’sagoodcity.”

“Affedersiniz.Iamnotfamiliarenoughwithyourpartoftheworld.Though

manyofyourcountrymenliveherestill.There’vebeenItaliansherefor

centuries.YourfamousMarcoPolo—hisfather,Niccolò,wastradingherewell

overtwohundredyearsago,withhisbrother.”Theyoungmansmiled,watching

Ezio’sface.ThenheturnedhisattentionbacktotheGalataTower.“Theremight

beawayofgettingyoutothetop.Thesecuritypeoplemightbepersuaded.You

getthemostbreathtakingviewofthecityfromthere.”

“Thatwouldbe—mostrewarding.”

Theyoungmanlookedathim.“You’veprobablyheardofanotherfamous

countrymanofyours,stillliving,Ibelieve.LeonardodaVinci?”

“Thenamestirssomememories.”

“Lessthanadecadeago,SayindaVincibeywasaskedbyoursultantobuilda

bridgeacrosstheHorn.”

Eziosmiled,rememberingthatLeonardohadoncementionedittohimin

passing.Hecouldimaginehisfriend’senthusiasmforsuchaproject.“What

becameofit?”heasked.“Iseenobridgeherenow.”

Theyoungmanspreadhishands.“I’mtoldthedesignwasbeautiful,but,

unfortunately,theplannevercametopass.Tooambitious,thesultanfelt,at

last.”

“Nonmisorprende,”Eziosaid,halftohimself.Thenhepointedtoanother

tower.“Isthatalighthouse?”

Theyoungmanfollowedhisgazetowardasmallisletaftofthem.“Yes.A

veryoldone.Elevencenturiesormore.It’scalledtheKizKulesi—how’syour

Turkish?”

“Weak.”

“ThenI’lltranslate.You’dcallittheMaidenTower.Wecalleditafterthe

daughterofasultanwhodiedthereofasnakebite.”

“Whywasshelivinginalighthouse?”

Theyoungmansmiled.“Theplanwas,toavoidsnakes,”hesaid.“Look,now

youcanseetheAqueductofValens.Seethatdoublerowofarches?Those

Romanscertainlycouldbuild.Iusedtoloveclimbingit,asachild.”

“Quiteaclimb.”

“Youalmostlookasifyou’dliketotryit!”

Eziosmiled.“Youneverknow,”hesaid.

Theyoungmanopenedhismouthtosaysomethingbutchangedhismindand

shutitagain.HisexpressionashelookedatEziowasnotunkind.AndEzio

knewexactlywhathewasthinking:anoldmantryingtoescapetheyears.

“Wherehaveyoucomefrom?”askedEzio.

Theyoungmanlookeddismissive.“Oh—theHolyLand,”hesaid.“Thatis,

ourHolyLand.MeccaandMedina.EverygoodMuslim’ssupposedtomakethe

triponceinhislifetime.”

“You’vegotitoverwithearly.”

“Youcouldsaythat.”

TheywatchedthecitypassbyinsilenceastheyrodeuptheHorntotheir

anchorage.“Thereisn’tacityinEuropewithaskylinelikethis,”Eziosaid.

“Ah,butthissideisinEurope,”repliedtheyoungman.“Overthere”—he

gesturedeastacrosstheBosphorus—“thatside’sAsia.”

“TherearesomeborderseventheOttomanscannotmove,”Ezioobserved.

“Veryfew,”theyoungmanrepliedquickly,andEziothoughthesounded

defensive.Thenhechangedthesubject.“Yousayyou’reanItalian—from

Florence,”hewenton.“Butyourclothesbeliethat.And—forgiveme—youlook

asifyou’vebeeninthemratheralongtime.Haveyoubeentravelinglong?”

“Sì,damoltotempo.IleftRomatwelvemonthsago,lookingfor...

inspiration.Andthatsearchhasbroughtmehere.”

TheyoungmanglancedatthebookinEzio’shandbutsaidnothing.Ezio

himselfdidn’twanttorevealmoreofhispurpose.Heleanedontherailand

lookedatthecitywalls,andtheotherships,fromallthecountriesintheworld,

crowdedatmoorings,astheirbaghlahslowlypassedthem.

“WhenIwasachild,myfathertoldmestoriesofthefallofConstantinople,”

Eziosaidatlast.“IthappenedsixyearsbeforeIwasborn.”

Theyoungmancarefullypackedhisastrolabeintoaleatherboxslungfroma

beltroundhisshoulder.“WecallthecityKostantiniyye.”

“Doesn’titamounttothesamething?”

“Werunitnow.Butyou’reright.Kostantiniyye,Byzantium,NeaRoma,the

RedApple—whatrealdifferencedoesitmake?TheysayMehmedwantedto

rechristenitIslam-bul—WhereIslamFlourishes—butthatderivation’sjust

anotherlegend.Still,peopleareevenusingthatname.Thoughofcourse,the

educatedamongusknowthatitshouldbeIstan-bol—TotheCity.”Theyoung

manpaused.“Whatstoriesdidyourfathertell?BraveChristiansbeingbeaten

downbywickedTurks?”

“No.Notatall.”

Theyoungmansighed.“Isupposethemoralofanystorymatchesthetemper

ofthemanwhotellsit.”

Eziopulledhimselferect.Mostofhismuscleshadrecoveredduringthelong

voyage,buttherewasstillanacheinhisside.“Thatwecanagreeon,”hesaid.

Theyoungmansmiled,warmlyandgenuinely.“Güzel!Iamglad!

Kostantiniyyeisacityforallkindsandallcreeds.EventheByzantineswho

remain.Andstudentslikeme,or...travelerslikeyou.”

TheirconversationwasinterruptedbyayoungSeljukmarriedcouple,who

werewalkingalongthedeckpastthem.Ezioandtheyoungmanpausedto

eavesdropontheirconversation—Ezio,becauseanyinformationhecouldglean

aboutthecitywouldbeofinteresttohim.

“Myfathercannotcopewithallthiscrime,”thehusbandwassaying.“He’ll

havetoshutupshopifitgetsanyworse.”

“Itwillpass,”hiswifereplied.“Maybewhenthesultanreturns.”

“Hah!”rejoinedthemansarcastically.“Bayezidisweak.Heturnsablindeye

totheByzantineupstarts,andlookwhattheresultis—kargasa!”

Hiswifeshushedhim.“Youshouldnotsaysuchthings!”

“Whynot?Itellonlythetruth.Myfatherisanhonestman,andthievesare

robbinghimblind.”

Eziointerruptedthem.“Excuseme—Icouldn’thelpoverhearing—”

Theman’swifeshotherhusbandalook:Yousee?

ButthemanturnedtoEzioandaddressedhim.“Affedersiniz,efendim.Ican

seeyouareatraveler.Ifyouarestayinginthecity,pleasevisitmyfather’sshop.

Hiscarpetsarethebestinalltheempire,andhewillgiveyouagoodprice.”He

paused.“Myfatherisagoodman,butthieveshaveallbutdestroyedhis

business.”

Thehusbandwouldhavesaidmore,buthiswifehastilydraggedhimaway.

Ezioexchangedalookwithhiscompanion,whohadjustacceptedaglassof

sharbatbroughttohimbywhatlookedlikeavalet.Heraisedhisglass.“Would

youcareforone?It’sveryrefreshing,anditwillbeawhileyetbeforewedock.”

“Thatwouldbeexcellent.”

Theyoungmannoddedathisservant,whowithdrew.Inthemeantime,a

groupofOttomansoldierspassedby,ontheirwayhomefromatourofdutyin

theDodecanese,andtalkingofthecitytheywerereturningto.

Ezionoddedtothemandjoinedthemforamoment,whiletheyoungman

turnedhisfaceawayandstoodaloof,makingnotesinhislittleivory-bound

book.

“WhatIwanttoknowis,whataretheseByzantinethugsholdingoutfor?”

oneofthesoldiersasked.“Theyhadtheirchanceonce.Theynearlydestroyed

thiscity.”

“WhenSultanMehmedrodein,therewerefewerthanfortythousandpeople

livinghere,andlivinginsqualor,”putinanother.

“Aynenoyle!”saidathird.“Exactlyso!Andnowlookatthecity.Three

hundredthousandinhabitants,andflourishingagainforthefirsttimein

centuries.Wehavedoneourpart.”

“Wemadethiscitystrongagain.Werebuiltit!”saidthesecondsoldier.

“Yes,buttheByzantinesdon’tseeitthatway,”rejoinedthefirst.“Theyjust

causetrouble,everychancetheyget.”

“HowmayIrecognizethem?”Ezioasked.

“Juststayclearofanymercenariesyouseewearingarough,reddishgarb,”

saidthefirstsoldier.“TheyareByzantines.Andtheydonotplaynice.”

Thesoldiersmovedoffthen,calledbyanNCOtoreadythemselvesfor

disembarking.Ezio’syoungmanwasstandingathiselbow.Atthesame

moment,hisvaletreappearedwithEzio’ssharbat.

“Soyousee,”saidtheyoungman.“Forallitsbeauty,Kostantiniyyeisnot,

afterall,themostperfectplaceintheworld.”

“Isanywhere?”Ezioreplied.

SEVENTEEN

Theirshiphaddocked,andpassengersandcrewscrambledabout,gettingin

eachother’sway,asmooringropeswerethrowntomenonthequaysideand

gangplankswerelowered.

Eziohadreturnedtohiscabintocollecthissaddlebags—allthathecarried.

He’dknowhowtogetwhatheneededoncehewasashore.Hisyoung

companion’sservanthadarrangedthreeleather-boundtrunksonthedeck,and

theyawaitedporterstocarrythemashore.Ezioandhisnewfriendpreparedto

takeleaveofoneanother.

Theyoungmansighed.“Ihavesomuchworktoreturnto—andyetitisgood

tobehome.”

“Youarefartooyoungtobeworriedaboutwork,ragazzo!”

Ezio’seyewasdistractedbytheappearanceoftheredheadedwomaningreen.

Shewasfussingoveralargeparcel,whichlookedheavy.Theyoungman

followedhisgaze.

“WhenIwasyourage,myinterestswere...weremainly...”Eziotrailed

off,watchingthewoman.Watchingthewayshemovedinherdress.Shelooked

up,andhethoughthe’dcaughthereye.“Salve!”hesaid.

Butshehadn’tnoticedhimafterall,andEzioturnedbacktohiscompanion,

who’dbeenwatchinghimwithamusement.

“Incredible,”saidtheyoungman.“I’msurprisedyougotanythingdoneat

all.”

“Sowasmymother,”Eziosmiledback,alittleruefully.

Finally,thegatesinthegunwalewereopened,andthewaitingcrowdof

passengerssurgedforward.

“Itwasapleasuretohavemadeyouracquaintance,beyefendi,”saidtheyoung

man,bowingtoEzio.“Ihopeyouwillfindsomethingtoholdyourinterestwhile

youarehere.”

“IhavefaiththatIwill.”

Theyoungmanmovedaway,butEziolingered,watchingthewoman

strugglingtolifttheparcel—whichshewasunwillingtoentrusttoanyporter—

asshestartedtodisembark.

Hewasabouttostepforwardtoassistwhenhesawthattheyoungmanhad

beatenhimtoit.

“MyIbeofsomeassistance,mylady?”heaskedher.

Thewomanlookedattheyoungmanandsmiled.Eziothoughtthatsmilewas

morekillingthananycrossbowbolt.Butitwasn’taimedathim.“Thankyou,

dearboy,”shesaid,andtheyoungman,wavinghisvaletaside,personallyhefted

thepackageontohisshoulder,followingherdownthecompanionwaytothe

quay.

“Ascholarandagentleman,”Eziocalledtohim.“Youarefullofsurprises.”

Theyoungmanturnedbackandsmiledagain.“Veryfew,myfriend.Very

few.”Heraisedahand.“Allahaismarladik!MayGodblessyou!”

Eziowatchedasthewoman,followedbytheyoungman,wasswallowedup

bythecrowd.Ashewatched,henoticedamanstandingslightlyapart,looking

athim.Atoughmaninhismidthirties,inawhitesurcoatwitharedsash,and

darktrouserstuckedintoyellowboots.Longdarkhairandbeard,andfour

throwingknivesinascabbardattachedhighonhisleftshoulder.Healsoworea

scimitar,andhisrightforearmcarriedatriple-platedsteelguard.AsEziotensed

andlookedmoreclosely,hethought,butwasnotsure,thathecoulddetectthe

harnessofahidden-bladejustbeneaththeman’srighthand.Thesurcoatwas

hooded,butthehoodwasdown,andtheman’sunrulyhairwaskeptincheckby

abroadyellowbandana.

Eziomovedslowlydownthegangplanktothequay.Andthemanapproached.



Whentheywerewithintwopacesofeachother,themanstopped,smiled

cautiously,andboweddeeply.



“Welcome,Brother!Unlessthelegendisalie,youarethemanIhavealways

longedtomeet.RenownedMasterandMentor—EzioAuditoreda...”Hebroke

offandhisdignitydesertedhim.“Lah,lah-lah!”hefinished.

“Prego?”Eziowasamused.

“Forgiveme,IhaveahardtimegettingmytongueroundItalian.”

“IamEziodaFirenze.Thecityofmybirth.”

“Whichwouldmakeme...YusufTazimdaIstanbul!Ilikethat!”

“Istanbul.Ah—sothatiswhatyoucallthiscity.”

“It’safavoritewiththelocals.Comesir—letmetakeyourpack—”

“No,thankyou—”

“Asyouwish.Welcome,Mentor!Iamgladyouhavearrivedatlast.Iwill

showyouthecity.”

“Howdidyouknowtoexpectme?”

“YoursisterwrotefromRometoalerttheBrotherhoodhere.Andwehad

wordfromaspyinplaceatMasyafofyourexploits.Sowehavewatchedthe

docksforweeksinthehopeandexpectationofyourarrival.”Yusufcouldsee

thatEzioremainedsuspicious.Helookedquizzical.“YoursisterClaudiawrote

—yousee?Iknowhername!AndIcanshowyoutheletter.Ihaveitwithme.I

knewyouwouldnotbeamantotakeanythingatitsfacevalue.”

“Iseeyouwearahidden-blade.”

“WhoelsebutamemberoftheBrotherhoodwouldhaveaccesstoone?”

Eziorelaxed,slightly.Yusuf’sdemeanorwassuddenlysolemn.“Come.”

HeputahandonEzio’sshoulderandguidedhimthroughtheteemingthrong.

Thecrowdedlanesheledhimdown,eachsidefilledwithstallssellingall

mannerofgoodsunderakaleidoscopeofcoloredawnings,werefilled,it

seemed,withpeopleofeverynationandraceonearth.Christians,Jews,and

Muslimswerebusybarteringwitheachother,Turkishstreetcriesmingledwith

othersinGreek,Frankish,andArabic.AsforItalian,Eziohadrecognizedthe

accentsofVenice,Genoa,andFlorencebeforehe’dwalkedoneblock.Andthere

wereotherlanguageshehalfrecognizedorcouldonlyguessat—Armenian,

Bulgarian,Serbian,andPersian.Andagutturallanguagehedidnotrecognizeat

all,spokenbytall,fair-skinnedmen,whoworetheirredhairandbeardswild

andlong.

“WelcometotheGalataDistrict.”Yusufbeamed.“Forcenturies,ithasbeena

hometoorphansfromEuropeandAsiaalike.Youwon’tfindmorediversity

anywhereelseinthecity.Andforthatverygoodreason,weAssassinshaveour

headquartershere.”

“Showme.”

Yusufnoddedeagerly.“Kesinlikle,Mentor.Atonce!TheBrotherhoodhereis

impatienttomeetthemanwhoputtheBorgiaouttograss!”Helaughed.

“DoeseveryoneinthecityalreadyknowI’mhere?”

“IsentaboyaheadassoonasIspottedyou.Andinanycase,yourHolyLand

tusslewiththeTemplarsdidnotgounnoticed.Wedidn’tneedourspyforthat!”

Eziolookedreflective.“WhenIfirstsetout,violencewasfarfrommymind.I

soughtmerelywisdom.”Helookedathisnewlieutenant.“Thecontentsof

Altaïr’slibrary.”

Yusuflaughedagainthoughlesscertainly.“Notrealizingthatit’sbeensealed

shutfortwo-and-a-halfcenturies?”

Eziolaughedalittlehimself.“No.Iassumedasmuch.ButIadmitthatInever

quiteexpectedtofindTemplarsguardingit.”

Yusufnowbecameserious.Theywerereachinglesspopulousstreets,and

theyrelaxedtheirpace.“Itisverytroubling.Fiveyearsago,Templarinfluence

herewasminimal.Justasmallfaction,withdreamsofrestoringthethroneto

Byzantium.”

They’dreachedasmallsquare,andYusufdrewEziotoonesidetopointouta

knotoffourmencrowdedinadarkcorner.Theyweredressedindullgreyarmor

overroughredwoolentunicsandjerkins.

“There’sagroupofthemnow,”Yusufsaid,loweringhisvoice.“Don’tlookin

theirdirection.”Heglancedaround.“They’regrowinginnumber,daybyday.

Andtheyknowwhatweallknow,thatSultanBayezidisonhiswayout.They’re

watching,waitingfortheirmoment.Ibelievetheymaytrysomethingdramatic.”

“ButistherenoheirtotheOttomanthrone?”Ezioasked,surprised.

“That’sthetrouble—therearetwoofthem.Twoangrysons.It’safamiliar

patternwiththeseroyals.Whenthesultancoughs,theprincesdrawtheir

swords.”

Ezioponderedthis,rememberingwhattheyoungmanontheshiphadtold

him.“BetweentheTemplarsandtheOttomans,youmustbekeptbusy,”hesaid.

“Ezio,efendim,ItellyouintruththatIbarelyhavetimetopolishmyblade!”

Justthen,ashotrangout,andabulletembeddeditselfinthewallinchestothe

leftofYusuf’shead.

EIGHTEEN

Yusufdivedbehindarowofspicebarrels,withEzioclosebehindhim.

“Talkofthedevil,andthereheis!”Yusufsaid,tightlipped,asheraisedhis

headjustenoughtoseethegunmanreloadingacrossthesquare.

“LookslikeourByzantinefriendsovertheredidn’ttakekindlytobeingstared

at.”

“I’lltakecareoftheguywiththemusket,”saidYusuf,measuringthedistance

betweenhimselfandhistargetashereachedbackandpluckedoneofhis

throwingknivesfromthescabbardathisback.Inacleanmovementhethrewit

andithurtledacrossthesquare,rotatingthreetimesbeforeitfounditsmark,

buryingitselfdeepintheman’sthroat,justasheraisedhisguntofireagain.

Meanwhile,hisfriendswerealreadysprintingtowardthem,swordsdrawn.

“Nowheretorun,”saidEzio,drawinghisownscimitar.

“Baptismoffireforyou,”saidYusuf.“Andyou’veonlyjustarrived.Çok

üzüldüm.”

“Don’tthinkaboutit,”repliedEzio,amused.He’dpickedupjustenough

Turkishtoknowthathiscompanioninarmswassayingsorry.

Yusufdrewhisownsword,andtogethertheyleaptfromtheirhidingplaceto

confronttheoncomingfoe.Theyweremorelightlycladthantheirthree

opponents,whichleftthemworseprotectedbutmoremobile.Ezioquickly

realized,ashejoinedwiththefirstByzantine,thathewasupagainstahighly

trainedfighter.Andhehadyettogetusedtousingascimitar.

Yusufkeptuphisbanterastheyfought.Butthenhewasusedtothisenemy,

andagoodfifteenyearsEzio’sjunior.“Thewholecitystirstowelcomeyou—

firsttheregents,likeme—andnow,therats!”

Ezioconcentratedontheswordplay.Itwentagainsthimbadlyatfirst,buthe

quicklyattunedhimselftothelight,flexibleswordhewasusingandfoundits

curvedbladeimprovedtheswingincredibly.Onceortwice,Yusuf,keepingan

eyeonhisMentor,shoutedhelpfulinstructions,andendedupcastinghiman

admiringsidelongglance.

“Inanilmaz!Amasteratwork!”

Buthe’dallowedhisattentiontofalterforasecondtoolong,andoneofthe

Byzantineswasabletoslicethroughthematerialofhisleftsleeveandgashhis

forearm.Ashefellbackinvoluntarilyandhisassailantpressedhisadvantage,

Ezioshovedhisownopponentviolentlyasideandwenttohisfriend’said,

gettingbetweenYusufandtheByzantineandwardingoffwithhisleft-arm

bracerwhatwouldhavebeenafatalfollow-upblow.Thismovewrong-footed

theByzantinejustlongenoughforYusuftoregainhisbalanceand,inturn,fend

offanothermercenarywhowasclosinginonEzio’sback,dealingtheattackera

mortalblowatthesametimeasEziofinishedoffthesecondman.Thelast

remainingByzantine,abigmanwithajawlikearockface,lookeddoubtfulfor

thefirsttime.

“Tesekkürederim,”saidYusuf,breathingheavily.

“Birseydegil.”

“Istherenoendtoyourtalents?”

“Well,atleastIlearned‘thankyou’and‘you’rewelcome’onboardthat

baghlah.”

“Lookout!”

ThebigByzantinewasbearingdownonthem,roaring,abigswordinone

handandamaceintheother.

“ByAllah,Ithoughthe’drunaway,”saidYusuf,sidesteppingandtripping

himup,sothat,carriedbytheweightofhisownmomentum,hecareered

forwardandcrashedheavilyintooneofthespicebarrels,fallingheadlongintoa

fragrantheapofyellowpowder,wherehelayimmobile.

Ezio,afterlookingaround,wipedhisswordcleanandsheathedit.Yusuf

followedsuit.

“Youhaveacurioustechnique,Mentor.Allfeintandnofight.Itseems.But

whenyoustrike...”

“Ithinklikeamongoose—myenemyisthecobra.”

“Strikingexpression.”

“Itry.”

Yusufglancedaroundagain.“We’dbettergo.Ithinkthat’senoughfunforone

day.”

ThewordswerescarcelyoutofhismouthwhenanothersquadofByzantine

mercenaries,attractedbythesoundofthefight,cameboilingintothesquare.

Eziowasinstantlyonthealert,whippinghisswordoutagain.

Butthentheothersideofthesquarefilledwithmoretroops,wearinga

differentuniform—bluetunicsanddark,conicalfelthats.

“Hangon—wait!”Yusufcried,asthenewarrivalsturnedtoattackthe

mercenaries,quicklycausingthemtoretreatandpursuingthemoutofsight,out

ofthesquare.

“TheywereOttomanregulartroops,”YusufsaidinresponsetoEzio’s

questioninglook.“NotJanissaries—theyaretheeliteregiment,andyou’llknow

themwhenyouseethem.ButallOttomansoldiershaveaspecialloathingfor

theseByzantinethugs,andthatistotheadvantageoftheAssassins.”

“Howbiganadvantage?”

Yusufspreadhishands.“Oh,justalittleone.They’llstillkillyouifyoulook

attheminawaytheydon’tlike,sameastheByzantines.Thedifferenceis,the

Ottomanswillfeelbadaboutitafterward.”

“Howtouching.”

Yusufgrinned.“It’snotsobad,really.Forthefirsttimeinmanydecades,we

Assassinshaveastrongpresencehere.Itwasn’talwaysthatway.Underthe

Byzantineemperors,wewerehunteddownandkilledonthespot.”

“You’dbettertellmeaboutthat,”saidEzio,astheyonceagainsetofftoward

theBrotherhood’sheadquarters.

Yusufscratchedhischin.“Well,theoldemperor,Constantine—theeleventh

withthatname—onlyhadathree-yearreign.OursultanMehmedsawtothat.

Butbyallaccounts,Constantinewasn’ttoobadhimself.Hewastheverylast

Romanemperorinalinethatwentbackamillennium.”

“Sparemethehistorylesson,”Eziointerrupted.“Iwanttoknowwhatwe’re

upagainstnow.”

“Thingis,bythetimeMehmedtookthiscity,therewasalmostnothingleftof

it—oroftheoldByzantineEmpire.TheyevensayConstantinewassobrokehe

hadtoreplacethejewelsinhisrobeswithglasscopies.”

“Myheartbleedsforhim.”

“Hewasabraveman.Herefusedtheofferofhislifeinexchangefor

surrenderingthecity,andhewentdownfighting.Buthisspiritwasn’tsharedby

twoofhisnephews.Oneofthemhasbeendeadafewyearsnow,buttheother..

.”Yusuftrailedoff,thoughtfully.

“He’sagainstus?”

“Oh,youcanbetonthat.Andhe’sagainsttheOttomans.Well,therulers,

anyway.”

“Whereishenow?”

Yusuflookedvague.“Whoknows?Inexile,somewhere?Butifhe’sstill

alive,he’llbeplottingsomething.”Hepaused.“Theysayhewasinprettythick

withRodrigoBorgiaatonetime.”

Eziostiffenedatthename.“TheSpaniard?”

“Theverysame.Theoneyoufinallysnuffedout.”

“Itwashisownsonthatdidthedeed.”

“Well,theyneverwereexactlytheHolyFamily,werethey?”“Goon.”

“Goon.”



“RodrigowasalsoclosetoaSeljukcalledCem.Itwasallveryhush-hush,and

evenweAssassinsdidn’tknowaboutituntilmuchlater.”

Ezionodded.Hehadheardthestories.“IfIrememberrightly,Cemwasabit

ofanadventurer.”

“Hewasoneofthepresentsultan’sbrothers,buthehadhiseyeonthethrone

forhimself,soBayezidthrewhimout.Heendedupkindofunderhousearrestin

Italy,andheandRodrigobecamefriends.”

“Iremember,”Eziosaid,takingupthestory.“Rodrigothoughthecoulduse

Cem’sambitionstotakeConstantinopleforhimself.ButtheBrotherhood

managedtoassassinateCeminCapua,aboutfifteenyearsago.Andthatputan

endtothatlittleplan.”

“Notthatwegotmuchthanksforit.”

“Ourtaskisnotwroughtinordertoreceivethanks.”

Yusufbowedhishead.“Iamschooled,Mentor.Butitwasaprettyneatcoup,

youmustadmit.”

Eziowassilent,so,afteramoment,Yusufcontinued:“ThetwonephewsI

mentionedwerethesonsofanotherofBayezid’sbrothers,Tomas.They’dbeen

exiled,too,withtheirfather.”

“Why?”

“Wouldyoubelieveit—TomaswasaftertheOttomanthroneaswell.Sound

familiar?”

“Thenameofthisfamilywouldn’tbeBorgia,wouldit?”

Yusuflaughed.“It’sPalaiologos.Butyou’reright—italmostamountstothe

samething.AfterCemdied,thenephewsbothwenttogroundinEurope.One

stayedthere,tryingtoraiseanarmytotakeConstantinoplehimself—hefailed,

ofcourse,anddied,likeIsaid,sevenoreightyearsago,withoutanheir,and

penniless.Buttheother—well,hecameback,renouncedanyimperialambition,

wasforgiven,andactuallyjoinedthenavyforatime.Thenheseemedtosettle

downtoalifeofluxuryandwomanizing.”

“Butnowhe’sdisappeared?”

“He’scertainlyoutofsight.”

“Andwedon’tknowhisname?”

“Hegoesbymanynames—butwehavebeenunabletopinhimdown.”

“Butheisplottingsomething.”

“Yes.AndhehasTemplarconnections.”

“Amantobewatched.”

“Ifhesurfaces,we’llknowaboutit.”

“Howoldishe?”

“It’ssaidhewasbornintheyearofMehmed’sconquest,whichwouldmake

himjustahandfulofyearsolderthanyou.”

“Stillenoughkickinhimthen.”

Yusuflookedathim.“Ifyouareanythingtogoby,plenty.”Helookedaround

him.Theirwalkhadtakenthemdeepintotheheartofthecity.“We’realmost

there,”hesaid.“Thisway.”

Theymadeanotherturn—intoanarrowstreet,dim,cool,andshadowydespite

thesunshine,whichtried,andfailed,topenetratethenarrowspacebetweenthe

buildingsoneitherside.Yusufpausedatasmall,unimpressive-lookinggreen-

painteddoorandraisedthebrassknockeronit.Hetappedoutacode,sosoftly

thatEziowonderedthatanyonewithinwouldhear.Butwithinseconds,thedoor

wasswungopenbyabroad-shouldered,narrow-hippedgirlwhoborethe

Assassins’emblemonthebuckleofhertunicbelt.

Eziofoundhimselfinaspaciouscourtyard,greenvinesclingingtotheyellow

walls.Assembledtherewasasmallgroupofyoungmenandwomen.They

gazedatEzioinaweasYusuf,withatheatricalgesture,turnedtohimandsaid,

“Mentor—sayhellotoyourextendedfamily.”

Eziosteppedforward.“Saluteavoi,Assassini.Itisanhonortofindsuchfast

friendssofarfromhome.”Tohishorror,hefoundthathewasmovedtotears.

Maybethetensionsofthepastfewhourswerecatchingupwithhim;andhewas

stilltiredafterhisjourney.

YusufturnedtohisfellowmembersoftheConstantinopleChapterofthe

AssassinBrotherhood.“Yousee,friends?OurMentorisnotafraidtoweep

openlyinfrontofhispupils.”

Eziowipedhischeekswithaglovedhandandsmiled.“Donotworry—Iwill

notmakeahabitofit.”

“TheMentorhasnotbeeninourcitymorethanamatterofhours,andalready

thereisnews,”Yusufwenton,hisfaceserious.“Wewereattackedontheway

here.Itseemsthemercenariesareonthemoveoncemore.So”—heindicated

threemenandtwowomen—“you—Dogan,Kasim,Heyreddin;andyou—

EvranikiandIrini—Iwantyoutomakeasweepofthearea—now!”

Thefivesilentlyrose,bowingtoEzioastheytooktheirleave.

“Therestofyou—backtowork,”Yusufcommanded,andtheremaining

Assassinsdispersed.

Leftalone,YusufturnedtoEzio,alookofconcernonhisface.“MyMentor.

Yourweaponsandyourarmorlookinneedofrenewal—andyourclothes—

forgiveme—areinapitifulstate.Wewillhelpyou.Butwehaveverylittle

money.”

Eziosmiled.“Havenofear.Ineednone.AndIprefertolookaftermyself.It

istimetoexplorethecityalone,togetthefeelingofitintomyblood.”

“Willyounotrestfirst?Takesomerefreshment?”

“Thetimeforrestiswhenthetaskisdone.”Eziopaused.Heunslunghisbags

andwithdrewthebrokenhidden-blade.“Isthereablacksmithoranarmorer

skilledandtrustworthyenoughtorepairthis?”

Yusufexaminedthedamage,thenslowly,regretfully,shookhishead.“This,I

know,isoneoftheoriginalblades,craftedfromAltaïr’sinstructionsinthe

Codexyourfathercollected;andwhatyouaskmaybeimpossibletoachieve.

Butifwecannotgetitdone,wewillmakesureyoudonotgooutunderarmed.

Butleaveyourweaponswithme—thoseyoudonotneedtotakewithyounow

—andIwillhavethemcleanedandhoned.Andtherewillbefreshclothesready

foryouonyourreturn.”

“Iamgrateful.”Eziomadeforthedoor.Asheapproachedit,theyoungblond

doorkeeperloweredhereyesmodestly.

“Azizewillbeyourguide,ifyouwishhertogowithyou,Mentor,”Yusuf

suggested.

Ezioturned.“No.Igoalone.”

NINETEEN

Intruth,Eziosoughttobealone.Heneededtocollecthisthoughts.Hewenttoa

tavernaintheGenoesequarter,wherewinewasavailable,andrefreshedhimself

withabottleofPigatoandasimplemaccaroininbroddo.Hespenttherestof

theafternoonthoroughlyacquaintinghimselfwiththeGalataDistrictand

avoidedtrouble,meltingintothecrowdwheneverheencounteredeither

OttomanpatrolsorbandsofByzantinemercenaries.Helookedjustlikemany

anothertravel-stainedpilgrimswanderingthecolorful,messy,chaotic,exciting

streetsofthecity.

Oncehewassatisfied,hereturnedtoheadquarters,justasthefirstlampswere

beinglitinthedarkinteriorsoftheshopsandtheywerelayingtablesinthe

lokantas.Yusufandsomeofhispeoplewerewaitingforhim.

TheTurkimmediatelycameuptohim,lookingpleasedwithhimself.“Praise

theheavens!Mentor!Iamgladtoseeyouagain—andsafe.Wefearedwehad

lostyoutothevicesofthebigcity!”

“Youaremelodramatic,”saidEzio,smiling.“Andasforvices,Iamcontent

withmyown,grazie.”

“Ihopeyouwillapproveofthearrangementswehavemadeinyourabsence.”

YusufledEziotoaninnerchamber,whereacompletenewoutfithadbeen

laidoutforhim.Nexttoit,neatlyarrangedonanoaktable,layhisweapons,

sharpened,oiled,andpolished,gleamingasnew.Acrossbowhadbeenaddedto

theset.

“Wehaveputthebrokenbladeinaplaceofsafety,”saidYusuf.“Butwe

noticedthatyouhavenohookblade,sowehaveorganizedoneforyou.”

“Hookblade?”

“Yes.Look.”YusufdrewbackhissleevetorevealwhatEziohadfirsttakento

beahidden-blade.ButwhenYusufactivatedit,anditsprangforth,hesawthatit

wasamorecomplexvariant.Thetelescopicbladeofthenewweaponendedina

curvedhookofwell-temperedsteel.

“Fascinating,”saidEzio.

“You’veneverseenonebefore?Igrewupusingthese.”

“Showme.”

YusuftookanewhookbladefromoneoftheAssassinsinattendance,who’d

helditinreadiness,andtosseditovertoEzio.Transferringhisgoodhidden-

bladefromhisrightwristtohisleft,underthebracer,Eziostrappedthe

hookbladetohisright.Hefeltitsunfamiliarweightandpracticedreleasingand

retractingit.HewishedLeonardohadbeentheretoseeit.

“You’dbettergivemeademonstration.”

“Immediately,ifyouareready.”

“AsI’lleverbe.”

“ThenfollowmeandwatchwhatIdoclosely.”

Theywentoutsideanddownthestreetinthelightoflateafternoontoa

desertedspacebetweenagroupoftallbrickbuildings.Yusufselectedone,

whosehighwallsweredecoratedwithprojectinghorizontalrunsoftiledbrickat

intervalsofsometenfeet.Yusufsetofftowardthebuildingatarun,leaping,

whenhereachedit,ontoacoupleofwaterbarrelsplacedclosetoit,then,

springingupwardfromthem,hereleasedhishookbladeandusedittogripthe

firstprojectingrunoftiles,pullinghimselfupwiththehookbladeandusinghis

momentumtohookontotherunabove,andsoonuntilhewasstandingonthe

roofofthebuilding.Thewholeoperationtooklessthanafewseconds.

Takingadeepbreath,Eziofollowedsuit.Hemanagedthefirsttwooperations

withoutdifficulty,andevenfoundtheexperienceexhilarating,buthealmost

missedhisholdonthethirdtierandswungdangerouslyoutwardforamoment,

untilhecorrectedhimselfwithoutlosingmomentumandfoundhimselfsoon

afterwardontheroofnexttoYusuf.

“Don’tstoptothink,”Yusuftoldhim.“Useyourinstinctsandletthehookdo

thework.Icanalreadyseethatafteranothercoupleofclimbslikethat,you’ll

havemasteredit.You’reaquicklearner,Mentor.”

“Ihavehadtobe.”

Yusufsmiled.HeextendedhisownbladeagainandshowedEziothedetail.

“ThestandardOttomanhookbladehastwoparts,yousee—thehookandthe

blade,sothatyoucanuseoneortheotherindependently.Anelegantdesign,

no?”

“ApityIdidn’thaveoneoftheseinthepast.”

“Perhapsthenyouhadnoneedofone.Come!”

Heboundedovertherooftops,Eziofollowing,rememberingthedistantdays

whenhehadchasedafterhisbrotherFedericoacrosstherooftopsofFlorence.

Yusufledhimtoplaceswherehecouldpracticesomemore,outofsightof

pryingeyes,andonceEziohadaccomplished,withincreasingconfidence,

anotherthreeclimbs,Yusufturnedtohimandsaid,aglintinhiseye:“There’s

stillenoughlightleftintheday.Howaboutabiggerchallenge?”

“Vabene.”Eziogrinned.“Let’sgo.”

Yusuftookoff,runningagain,throughtheemptyingstreets,untiltheyreached

thefootoftheGalataTower.“Theydon’tpostguardsinpeacetimeuntilthe

torchesarelitontheparapets.Wewon’tbedisturbed.Let’sgo.”

Eziolookedupthegreatheightofthetowerandswallowedhard.

“You’llbefine.Followmylead,takearunatit,andletyourselfgo.Just

throwyourselfintoit.And—again—letthehookdoallthehardwork.Thereare

plentyofnooksandcranniesinthestonework—you’llbespoiledforchoice

aboutwheretohookin.”

Withacarefreelaughofencouragement,Yusufsetoff.Hisskillfuluseofthe

blademadeitlookasifhewerewalking—running,even—straightupthewallof

thetower.Momentslater,Ezio,pantingbuttriumphant,joinedhimontheroof,

lookingaroundhim.Astheyoungmanontheshiphadsaid,theviewsacrossthe

citywerestunning.AndEziohadn’thadtowaitforpermissionfromsome

bureaucrattoseethem.Heidentifiedallthelandmarkstheyoungmanhad

introducedhimtofromthedeckofthebaghlah,usingtheopportunityto

familiarizehimselffurtherwiththecity’slayout.Butanotherpartofhismind

justdrankinitsbeautyinthered-goldlightofthesettingsun,thelight

remindinghimofthecolorofthehairofthatbeautifulwomanwho’dbeenhis

fellowpassengerandwho’dlookedrightthroughhim.

“WelcometoIstanbul,Mentor,”saidYusuf,watchinghisface.“The

CrossroadsoftheWorld.”

“Icanseenowwhytheycallitthat.”

“Manygenerationsofmenhaveruledthiscity,buttheyhaveneversubdued

her.Whateveryokeisplacedonherneck,whateverneglectorpillageisvisited

onher,shealwaysbouncesback.”

“Itseemsafineplacetocallhome.”

“Itis.”

Yusufsteppedtotheedgeofthetowerafteranotherminuteortwo,looked

down,thenturnedtoEzioagain.“Raceyoutothebottom?”heasked,and,

withoutwaitingforareply,threwhimselffromtheparapetinanastounding

LeapofFaith.

Eziowatchedhimplummet,likeahawkstooping,andlandsafelyinahay

wainhe’dalreadysingledout,175feetbelow.Hesighed,pausingamoment

longertostareatthecityspreadoutbeneathhim,inwonder.TheGreatCity.The

FirstCity.TheheiressofAncientRome.Constantinoplewasathousandyears

oldandhadbeenhometohundredsofthousandsofcitizensatatime,inthenot-

too-distantpast,whenRomeandFlorenceweremerevillagesbycomparison.

Shehadbeenplunderedandravaged,andheknewthelegendarybeautyofthe

pastwasgoneforever;butshehadalwaysawedherattackersandthosewho

soughttoreduceher;and,asYusufhadsaid,shehadnevertrulybeensubdued.

Eziolookedaroundonelasttime,scanningthewholehorizonwithhiskeen

eyes.Hefoughtdownthedeepsadnessthatfilledhisheart.

Then,inturn,hemadehisownLeapofFaith.

TWENTY

Thefollowingmorning,EzioandYusufsatinthecourtyardoftheAssassin

headquarters,poringoverplansspreadonatable,chartingtheirnextmove.

TherewasnodoubtintheirmindsthatcouriersfromtheTemplarsatMasyaf

wouldverysoonarriveinthecity,iftheyhadnotdonesoalready,andthata

concertedTemplarattackmustbeanticipated.

“It’slikeahydra,theTemplarorganization.”Eziobrooded.“Cutoneheadoff,

andtwogrowback.”

“NotinRome,Mentor.You’veseentothat.”

Eziowassilent.Withhisthumb,hetriedtheedgeofthehookbladehewas

oiling.“Iamcertainlyimpressedbythisweapon,Yusuf.MybrothersinRome

wouldprofitfromhavingthemaspartoftheirequipment.”

“It’snotaharddesigntocopy,”Yusufreplied.“Justgivecreditwhereit’s

due.”

“Ineedmorepractice,”Eziosaid,littlerealizingthathe’dgetit,soonenough,

foratthemoment,thestreetdoorburstopenbeforeAzizehadtimetoreachit,

andKasim,oneofYusuf’slieutenants,rushedin,hiseyeswild.

“Yusufbey—comequickly!”

Yusufwasonhisfeetinaninstant.“What’sgoingon?”

“Anattackontwofronts!OurDensinGalataandattheGrandBazaar.”

“Itneverstops,”Yusufsaid,angrily.“Everyday,thesamebadnews.”He

turnedtoEzio.“Couldthisbethebigattackyoufear?”

“Ihavenowayofknowing,butitmustbedealtwith.”

“Ofcourse.Howisyourappetiteforswordplay?”

“Ithinkyouknowtheanswertothat.IdowhatImust.”

“Goodman!It’stimetoputyourhookbladetosomerealuse!Let’sgo!”

TWENTY-ONE

Innotimeatall,theyweresprintingacrosstherooftopsinthedirectionofthe

GalataDen.Astheygrewclose,theydescendedtothestreetinordertobeless

conspicuoustoByzantinecrossbowmen.Buttheyfoundtheirwayblockedbya

unitofheavilyarmedmercenaries,whoorderedthem,menacingly,toturnback.

Theypretendedtoretreatafewpaces,conferringtogether.

“Useyourhookblade,Mentor,”saidYusuf.“There’sasurewaytogetpast

thesethugswiththemaximumofspeedandtheminimumoffuss.”

“Soundsgoodtome.”

“Watch.Wecallitahook-and-roll.”

Withoutmoreado,Yusufturnedbacktothelineofmenspreadoutacrossthe

street,facingthem.Heselectedoneandrantowardhimatsuchgreatspeedthat,

beforethemanoranyofhiscompanionscouldreact,heleaptintotheair

immediatelyinfrontofhistarget,projectinghisbodyforwardwithhis

hookbladeunleashedandhisrightarmplungingdown,readytostickthehookin

thebackoftheman’sbelt.Followingthrough,Yusufdidasomersaultoverthe

man,releasinghisbladeashedidso,andcarriedonatspeedawayfromthe

dumfoundedmercenaries.Beforetheyhadtimefullytoregroup,Eziofollowed

Yusuf’slead,managingashesomersaultedoverhismantograbhimbytheneck

andwrestlehimtotheground,landedsomefeetbehindhim,andranontojoin

hiscompanion.

Butthereweremoreguardsaheadtodealwith,andindoingso,Eziopicked

upanothertechniquefromhisSeljukfriend.Thistime,Yusufswungthehook

low,stoopingasheapproachedhistarget,andwrappedhisweaponroundoneof

hisopponent’sankles,fellinghimashesweptpast.Onceagain,Eziocopiedthe

moves,andhadsooncaughtupwiththeleaderoftheIstanbulAssassins.

“Andthat’swhatwecallahook-and-run.”Yusufgrinned.“ButIcansee

you’reanatural.Excellentwork.”

“Ialmoststumbledbackthere.Needtoimprove.”

“You’llgetplentyofpractice.”

“Lookout,herecomemoreofthem!”

Theywereattheintersectionoffourstreets,emptynowthatthefightinghad

causedtheordinarycitizenstofleeinsidethebuildingsandshutthedoors

behindthem.Buttheywerecornered—largeunitsofByzantineswere

thunderingtowardthemfromeachquarter.

“Whatnow?”saidEzio,drawinghisswordandreleasinghisleft-handhidden-

blade.

“Putthoseaway,Mentor.Whenhetiresofrunning,anAssassinaroundhere

takestotheair.”

EzioquicklyfollowedYusufashescaledthenearestwall,usinghishookto

aidhim,withincreasingskill.Onceontherooftopsagain,Ezionoticedthat,in

thisarea,manyweretoppedwithstoutverticalwoodenposts,fromwhichtarred

ropes,stretchedtaut,ledupwardanddownwardtootherpostsonotherrooftops,

connectedbyaseriesofpulleysandblocksandtackle.Suchapoststoodontheir

roof,nexttowheretheywerestanding.

“Weintroducedthissystemtotransportgoodsabout,fromwarehouseto

warehouse,fromwarehousetoshop,”explainedYusuf.“Youcanfinditin

variousdistrictsalloverthecity.It’salotquickerthanusingthestreets,which

aretoonarrowandusuallycrowded.Andit’salotquickerforus,too.”

Eziolookeddownbelow,towheretheByzantinesweretryingtobreakinto

thebuildingwhichtheywerestandingon.Tooheavilyarmoredtoclimb,they’d

decidedtocomeatthemfromtheinterior.

“We’dbetterhurry.”

“Youuseyourhookbladeforthis,too,”saidYusuf.“Justhookittoarope,

hangontight,andletgo—ofcourse,itonlyworksdownhill!”

“I’mbeginningtoseewhyyoudevelopedthisweapon—it’sperfectfor

Constantinople.”

“Youcansaythatagain.”Yusufcastaglancedowntothestreetbelowinhis

turn.“Butyou’reright—wemustmakehaste.”Briefly,hescannedthe

surroundingrooftops.Aboutthreehundredfeetaway,ontheroofofabuilding

downhillfromwheretheywere,hespottedaByzantinescout,hisbacktothem,

keepingalookoutoverthecity,whichspreaditselfbelowhim.

“Seethatguy?”Yusufsaid.

“Yes.”

“Andthere’sanother,justoverthere,totheleft—onaconnectingroof.”

“Gothim.”

“We’regoingtotakethemout.”Yusufextendedhishookbladeandnotchedit

overtherope.HeraisedawarninghandasEziowasabouttodothesame.“Do

notfollowmeimmediately.Allowmetoshowyou.”

“Iamgladtolearnthecustomsofthecountry.”

“Wecallthisazipline.Watch!”

Yusufwaiteduntilthesecondscoutwaslookinginanotherdirection,thenlet

theropetakehisweight.Itstrainedslightly,butheld.Thenheswunghisbody

clear,andinamomenthewassailingsilentlydowntheropetowardthe

unsuspectingfirstscout.Atthelastmoment,heunhookedhisbladeanddropped

thelastfewfeetontohistarget,swingingthebladeroundtosliceintotheman’s

side.Hecaughtthescout’sfallingbodyandlowereditgentlytotheground

beforesteppingquicklybehindthecoverofasmalloutbuildingontheroof.

Fromthere,heletoutastrangledcry.

Thisalertedthesecondscout,whoturnedquicklytolookinthedirectionfrom

whichthesoundhadcome.

“Help,comrade!Assassins!”Yusufcalled,usingGreek,inananguished

voice.

“Standfast!I’mcoming!”thesecondscoutcalledback,racingacrosstheroof

totheaidofhisfellow.

Atthatmoment,YusufbeckonedtoEzio,whorocketeddowntheropeinhis

turn,intimetodropfatallyontothesecondscout,bythattimekneelingnextto

thebodyofhisfallencompanion.

Yusufjoinedhimbythetwobodies.“Youdidn’tevenbreakasweat,”Yusuf

said,chuckling.Thenheimmediatelybecameserious,andcontinued,“Icansee

youcanlookafteryourself,soIthinkit’stimewesplitup.I’dbetterheadtothe

Bazaarandseewhat’shappeningatourDenthere.YougoontoGalata,tohelp

themthere.”

“Tellmetheway.”

Yusufpointedacrosstherooftops.“Youseethetower?”

“Yes.”

“TheDen’srightbyit.Ican’tbeintwoplacesatonce,butnowyou’rehere,I

don’thavetobe.ThankAllahyoucame,Mentor.Withoutyourhelp...”

“You’vedoneallrightsofar.”

Yusuftookhishand.“Haydirastgele—Ezio.Goodluck!”

“Goodlucktoyou,too.”

YusufturnedsouthwhileEzioranovertherusset-coloredtilesoftherooftops

untilhefoundanotherropesystem.Sailingquicklyandunopposedfromholding

posttoholdingpost,andtravelingalotfasterthanhewouldhavedoneonfoot,

hequicklymadehiswaydownwardtowardthetower’sbase,andhisnextbattle.

TWENTY-TWO

EzioarrivedduringalullinthefightingandmanagedtoslipintotheDen

withoutbeingseen.There,hewasgreetedbyDogan,oneoftheAssassin

lieutenantshehadbrieflymetearlier.

“Mentor,itisanhonor.IsYusufnotwithyou?”

“No—they’vemountedanotherattack—onourDenbytheGrandBazaar.

He’sonhiswaytherenow.”Eziopaused.“Whatisthesituationhere?”

Doganwipedhisbrow.“We’vebeatenbackthevanguard,butthey’rejust

fallenbacktowaitforreinforcements.”

“Areyourmenreadyforthem?”

DogangaveEzioawrysmile,encouragedbytheMentor’senthusiasmand

confidence.“Nowyou’rehere,theyare!”

“Where’sthenextattacklikelytocomefrom?”

“Thenorthside.Theythinkthat’stheweakest.”

“Thenwe’dbettermakesureit’sthestrongest!”

DoganredeployedhisAssassinsaccordingtoEzio’sinstructions,andbythe

timetheTemplarslaunchedtheircounterattack,theywerereadyforthem.The

fightwasasfierceasitwasshort,leavingfifteenTemplarmercenariesdeadin

thesquarenearthetowerwheretheDenwaslocated.TheAssassintroop

countedtwomenandonewomanwounded,butnofatalities.Ithadbeenarout

oftheTemplars.

“Theywillnotbebacksoon,”DogantoldEziowhenitwasallover.

“Let’shopeso.FrommyexperienceoftheTemplars,theydonotliketobe

bested.”

“Well,iftheytryitagainaroundhere,they’llhavetolearntolivewithit.”

EziosmiledandclappedDoganontheshoulder.“That’sthekindoftalkIlike

tohear!”

Hemadetotakehisleave.

“Wherewillyougonow?”askedDogan.

“I’mgoingtojoinYusufattheDenoftheGrandBazaar.Sendwordtome

thereiftheTemplarsdoregroup.”

“Inthatunlikelyevent,youwillbethefirsttoknow.”

“Andtendtoyourwounded.Thatsergeantofyourstookabadcuttothe

head.”

“Itisbeingattendedtoaswespeak.”

“CanIgettherebyusingtheziplinesystem?”

“OnceyoureachthesouthbankoftheHorn.Butyoumustcrossthatbyferry.

It’sthefastestwaytothepeninsula.”

“Ferry?”

“Therewastohavebeenabridge,butforsomereasonitwasneverbuilt.”

“Ahyes,”saidEzio.“Iremembersomebodymentioningthat.”Heputouthis

hand.“Allahaismarladik,”hesaid.

“Gülegüle.”Dogansmiledback.



TheDenEzioneededtoreachwaslocatednotfarfromtheBazaar,inthe

ImperialDistrict,betweentheBazaaritselfandtheancientchurchofHaghia

Sofia,nowconvertedbytheOttomansintoamosque.

ButthefightingEzioreachedwastakingplaceashortdistancetothe

southwest,closetothedocksonthesouthernshoresofthecity.Hestoodfora

momentonarooftop,observingthebattle,whichwasinfullspateinthestreets

andonthequaysbelowhim.Aropefromawoodenstakenearhimstretched

downtoapointnearwherehecouldseeYusuf,hisbacktothewatersofthe

dock,inthethickofthefray.Yusufwasfendingoffahalfdozenburly

mercenaries,andhiscompanionsweretoobusythemselvestocometohisaid.

Eziohookedontotheropeandswoopeddown,jumpingfromtheropeataheight

oftwelvefeetandspread-eaglinghimself,left-handhidden-bladeextended,to

landonthebacksoftwoofYusuf’sattackers,sendingthemsprawling.They

weredeadbeforetheycouldreact,andEziostoodoverthemastheremaining

fourintheirgroupturnedtofacehim,givingYusufenoughrespitetoedgeround

totheirflank.Eziokepthishookbladeextended.

AsthefourTemplartroopersfellroaringonEzio,Yusufrushedthemfromthe

side,hisownhidden-bladebroughtquicklyintoplay.Onehugesoldierwas

almostuponEzio,havingbackedhimupagainstawarehousewall,whenhe

rememberedthehook-and-rolltechniqueandusedittoescapefrom,andfell,his

opponent,stabbingtheman’swrithingbodywithhishidden-bladetodeliverthe

coupdegrace.Meanwhile,Yusufhaddispatchedtwooftheothers,whilethe

survivortooktohisheels.

Elsewhere,fiercefightingwassimmeringdownasYusuf’sbrigadegotthe

betteroftheTemplars,whofinallyfled,cursing,intothedepthsofthecitytothe

north.

“Gladyouarrivedintimetomeetmynewplaymates,”saidYusuf,wipingand

sheathinghissword,andretractinghishidden-blade,asEziodidlikewise.“You

foughtlikeatiger,myfriend,likeamanlateforhisown—wedding.”

“Doyounotmeanfuneral?”

“Youwouldnotmindbeinglateforthat.”

“Well,ifwe’retalkingaboutawedding,I’mtwenty-fiveyearslatealready.”

Eziopushedthefamiliardarkeningmoodasideandsquaredhisshoulders.“DidI

arriveintimetosavetheBazaarDen?”

Yusufshruggedregretfully.“Alas,no.We’veonlymanagedtosaveourown

skins.TheBazaarDenistaken.Unfortunately,Iarrivedtoolatetoregainit.

Theyweretoowellentrenched.”

“Don’tdespair.TheGalataDenissafe.TheAssassinsweusedtherecanjoin

ushere.”

Yusufbrightened.“Withmy‘army’doubledinsize,we’lltaketheBazaar

backtogether!Come!Thisway!”

TWENTY-THREE

Theymadetheirwaythroughthemarketstreetsandthemassive,glitteringmaze

ofthesoukitself,thesplendid,frenetic,gold-and-redGrandBazaar,withits

myriadlanesoflittleshopssellingeverythingfromscentstospicestosheepskins

tocostlyPersiancarpetsfromIsfahanandKabul,cedarwoodfurniture,swords

andarmor,brassandsilvercoffeepotswithsnakingspoutsandelongatednecks,

tulip-shapedglassesforteaandlarger,slenderonesforsharbat—acornucopia

sellingeverythingintheworldamancouldimagineordesire,amidababelof

traders’voicesraisedinatleastadozendifferentlanguages.

Oncethey’dpassedoutofthenortheasternside,theycametostreetsnearer

theDen.Here,theTemplarpresencewasstrong.Thebuildingswerehungwith

theirbanners,andthemerchantswhodidbusinessthere,Eziocouldsee,were

notinfrequentlybeingharassedorotherwisebulliedbyByzantinetoughs.

“Asyoucansee,”Yusufwastellinghim,“whentheTemplarstakeovera

district,theyliketoflauntit.It’saconstantbattletokeepthematbay;theylike

nothingbetterthantorubournosesineveryvictorytheyenjoy.”

“Butwhydoesthesultandonothing?Thisishiscity!”

“SultanBayezidisfaraway.Therearen’tenoughOttomanresourcesforthe

governorheretokeepmattersincheck.Ifitweren’tforus...”Yusuftrailedoff,

thencontinued,followinganothertrainofthought.“Thesultanisatwarwithhis

son,Selim,manyleaguesnorthwestofthecity.He’sbeenawayforyears,at

leastsincethegreatearthquakein1509,andevenbeforethathewasalmost

alwaysabsent.Heisblindtoallthisturmoil.”

“Theearthquake?”EziorememberednewsofthatreachingRome.Overa

hundredmosqueshadbeenreducedtorubble,alongwithathousandother

buildings,andtenthousandcitizenshadlosttheirlives.

“Youshouldhaveseenit.WecalledittheLesserDayofJudgment.Thehuge

wavesitcausedintheSeaofMarmaraalmostbroughtdownthesouthernwalls.

Butthesultan’seyesremainedclosed,eventothatwarning.”

“Ah,butyoureyesareopen,sì?”

“Liketwofullmoons.Believeme.”

Theyhadreachedalargeopenkaresi,throngedwithTemplarmercenaries,

whobegantoeyethemsuspiciouslyastheycrossedthesquare.

“Toomanytoengagedirectly,”Yusufsaid.“We’dbetteruseoneofthese.”

Hedelvedintothepouchathissideandproducedabomb.

“What’sthat—asmokebomb?”Eziosaid.“Hmn.I’mnotconfidentthatthat

willhelpushere.”

Yusuflaughed.“Smokebomb?DearEzio—Mentor—it’sreallyhightimeyou

Italiansjoinedthesixteenthcentury.Thesebombsdonotobscure—theydistract.

Watch.”

EziostoodbackasYusufthrewthebombsomedistanceawayfromhim.It

explodedharmlessly,butsentashowerofsmall,apparentlygold,coinsintothe

air,whichraineddownoverthemercenaries.Theirattentionwasimmediately

distractedfromEzioandYusufastheyhurriedtopickupthecoins,shouldering

asidetheciviliansaroundwhotriedtojoinin.

“Whatwasthat?”askedEzioinastonishment,astheycontinuedontheirway,

nowinnofearofmolestation.

Yusufsmiledcraftily.“That’swhatwecallaGoldBomb.It’sfilledwithcoins

madeofpyrite—theylookexactlylikegoldcoinsbutareverycheapto

produce.”

Eziowatchedthetroopersscatter,oblivioustoanythingbuttheFool’sGold.

“Yousee?”saidYusuf.“Theycan’tresist.Butlet’sgetamoveonbefore

they’vepickedthemallup.”

“Youarefullofsurprisestoday.”

“Craftingexplosivesisanewhobbyofours,onewe’veborrowedfromthe

Chinese.We’vetakentoitwithgreatpassion.”

“I’mobviouslygettingrusty.Butafriendofmineoncemademesomebombs,

inSpain,longago,soIknowsomethingofthesubject.You’llhavetoteachme

thenewtechniques.”

“Gladly—butwhoistheMentorhere,Ezio?I’mbeginningtowonder.”

“That’senoughofyourcheek,Assassin!”Eziogrinned,clappingYusufonthe

shoulder.

Anarrowstreetthey’dbeenpassingalonggavewaytoanothersquare,and

there,again,inthatTemplar-infesteddistrict,wasanotherlargegroupof

Byzantinemercenaries.They’dheardthecommotionfromtheadjoiningkaresi

andwerelookingrestive.Yusufdrewahandfulofsmallbombsfromhispouch

andhandedthemtoEzio.“Yourturn,”hesaid.“Makemeproud.Thewind’s

behindus,soweshouldbeallright.”

TheByzantineswerealreadymakingforthetwoAssassinsanddrawingtheir

swords.Eziopulledthepinsofthethreebombsinhishandsandthrewthem

towardtheoncomingmercenaries.Theyexplodedonimpactwiththeground

withlittle,harmless-soundingpops,andforamomentitlookedasifnothingelse

hadhappened.ButthentheTemplartroopshesitatedandlookedateachother,

gagginganddabbingattheiruniforms,whichwerecoveredwithastinking,

viscousliquid.Quickly,theybeataretreat.

“Theretheygo,”saidYusuf.“It’llbedaysbeforetheirwomenwilltakethem

backintotheirbeds.”

“Anotherofyoursurprises?”

“Thosewereskunk-oilbombs.Veryeffectiveifyoujudgeyourmomentand

keepoutoftheprevailingwind!”

“Thanksforthewarning.”

“Whatwarning?”

“Exactly.”

“Hurry.We’renearlythere.”

They’dcrossedthekaresiintoanotherstreet,broaderthistimebutlinedwith

whatlookedlikedboarded-upshops.Yusufpausedatoneofthemandpushed

cautiouslyatitsdoor,whichswungopen.Beyonditwasasmall,plaincourtyard,

afewbarrelsandpackingcasesstackedupalongthefarwall.Inthemiddlewas

anopentrapdoor,withstonestepsleadingdownfromit.Atowerrosefromthe

rearleft-handcornerofthecourtyard.

“AsIthought,”saidYusuf.HeturnedtoEzioandspokeurgently.“Thisisone

ofourundergroundDens.Itlooksdeserted,Iknow,butbelow,theTemplarswill

haveitwellguarded.Amongtheirrabblethere’saTemplarcaptain.MayIask

youtofindhimandkillhim?”

“I’llgetyourhideoutbackforyou.”

“Good.Whenyou’vedoneso,climbthattowerandsetoffthesignalflare

you’llfindthere.It’sanotheroneofourbombs,andit’sacopyoftheflaresthe

Templarsusetosignalaretreat.”

“Andyou?”

“Itwon’ttakethoseTemplarsinthesquarelongtorealizewhat’shappened,

soI’llgobackandfindawayofstoppingthemfromfollowingushereand

tryingtoreinforcetheirfriends.I’vegotacoupleofphosphorusbombsclipped

tomytunicbelt.Theyshoulddothetrick.”

“Soyoudostilluseold-fashionedsmokescreens?”

Yusufnodded.“Yes,buttheseareprettynasty,so—”Hedrewascarfoverhis

noseandmouth.“AndbeforeIgo,there’sonemorelittletrickupmysleeve,

whichshouldbringtherabbitsoutoftheirhole—Iwouldn’twantyoutogo

downtotheDenandfightthosethugsinsemidarkness.Oncethey’vesurfaced,

youshouldbeabletopickthemoffwithouttoomuchtrouble.”Fromhispouch,

heproducedafinalbomb,andhefteditforamoment.“I’llsetthisoffnow,then

beonmyway.We’vegottoneutralizebothgroupsofTemplarssimultaneously,

orwe’llbelost.Justcoveryourears—thisisacherrybomb,andit’spackedwith

sulfur,soit’llmakeanoiselikeathunderclap.It’llbringthemupallright,butI

don’twantyoutoburstyoureardrums.”

Eziodidashewasbidden,movingbacktoastrategicpositionontheshady

sideofthecourtyard,withagoodviewofthetrapdoor.Heexchangedhisleft-

handhidden-bladeforhisadaptedpistolharness,preferringtoretainthe

hookbladeforclosecombat.Yusuf,nearthestreet,threwhischerrybombtothe

farsideofthecourtyard,anddisappeared.

TherewasanoiseasloudastheDevil’sFart,andEzio,thoughhe’dcovered

hisearsbeneathhishoodfirmly,stillhadtheaftershockinhishead.Heshookit

toclearit,andashedidso,tenTemplars,ledbyaruddy-nosedcaptain,burst

fromthetrapdoorintothesunlight,lookingaroundtheminpanic.Eziomovedin

swiftlyandhadcutthreedownbeforethey’dhadtimetoreact.Usinghis

hookblade,hewasabletokillanotherthreeinthenextminuteofcombat.Three

moreranoff,astheyheardthesoundoftwomoreexplosions,followedshortly

afterwardbythefaintsmellofsmokeinthebreeze.

“Perfecttiming,Yusuf,”murmuredEziotohimself.

ThecaptainofthecohortstoodandconfrontedEzio.Abrawny,walleyedman

withwell-usedblackshoulderarmoroverhisdarkredtunic,heheldaheavy

Damascusinhisrighthandandawicked-lookingcurveddagger,withabarbed

point,inhisleft.

“Ripandslit,”saidthecaptaininahoarsevoice.“Ihookyouinwiththe

daggerandslityourthroatwiththesword.You’reasgoodasdead,Assassin.”

“It’sreallyhightimeyouTemplarsjoinedthesixteenthcentury,”repliedEzio,

raisinghisleftarmandspringinghispistolintohishand.Hefired,thinkingthat

atthatrangehereallycouldn’tmiss,evenleft-handed,and,sureenough,theball

sankintothebonestraightbetweenthecaptain’seyes.

ThecaptainwasstillsinkingtohiskneesasEziosprangacrossthecourtyard,

leaptontooneofthebarrelsforpurchase,andusedthehookbladetosurgetothe

topofthetower.

TheflareYusufhadtoldhimofhadnotbeendiscoveredordisturbed.There

wasalittlemortar,andEzioloadedtheflareintoit.Amomentlater,itstreaked

highintothesky,trailingavividstreakofflameandvioletsmoke.

Bythetimehereachedthefootofthetoweragain,Yusufwaswaitingforhim.

“NowonderyouareourMentor,”saidtheSeljukAssassin.“Youcouldnot

havetimedthatbetter.”Hebeamedintriumph.“TheTemplarsarewithdrawing

onallfronts.”

TWENTY-FOUR

TheBazaarDenwasremarkablyneatandtidy,givenitsrecentoccupationbythe

Templars.

“Anydamage?”EzioaskedYusuf,ashisTurkishcomradestaredatthe

ceiling.

“NotthatIcansee.ByzantineTemplarsmaybebadhosts,buttheyaredecent

tenants.Oncetheycapturealocation,theyliketokeepitintact.”

“Becausetheyintendtostay?”

“Exactly!”Yusufrubbedhishands.“Wemusttakeadvantageofourlittle

victoriestoprepareyoufurtherforthefightagainstourGreekfriends,”hesaid.

“I’veshownyouhowtousesomeofourbombs.Butit’llbeevenbetterifyou

knowhowtomakethem.”

“Istheresomeoneherewhocanteachme?”

“Ofcourse!Themasterhimself!PiriReis.”

“PiriReisis...oneofus?”

“Inamannerofspeaking.Helikestokeephimselfaloof.Buthe’scertainlyon

ourside.”

“Ithoughthewasmoreofamapmaker,”saidEzio,rememberingthemapof

Cyprushe’dbeengivenbyMa’Mun.

“Mapmaker,seafarer,pirate—thoughthesedayshe’srisingswiftlythrough

theranksoftheOttomanNavy—he’saprettygoodall-arounder.Andheknows

Istanbul—Kostantiniyye—likethebackofhishand.”

“Good—becausethere’ssomethingI’dliketoaskhimaboutthecitythathe

mayknow.Apartfromhowtomakebombs.WhencanImeethim?”

“Notimelikethepresent.Andwedon’thaveanytolose.Areyouallright

afterthatlittleskirmish?Needsomerest?”

“No.”

“Good!I’lltakeyoutohimnow.Hisworkroomisn’tfarfromhere.”



PiriReis—AdmiralPiri—hadasmallsetofsecond-story,open-planroomson

thenorthsideoftheGrandBazaar,whosetallwindowsthrewacold,clearlight

onthehandfulofmaptablesneatlyarrangedontheteakfloorsofacramped

studio.Equallyneatlyspreadoutonthetablesweremapsofagreaternumber

andvarietythanEziohadeverseenbefore,and,seatedbythem,ahandfulof

assistantswerediligentlyworkinginsilence.Thewesternandsouthernwallsof

theworkroomwerefestoonedwithmoremaps,allneatlypinnedupandsquared-

offtooneanother.Fivelargeglobes,oneineachcornerandoneinthecenterof

theroom,completedthepicture.Theglobeswerealsoworksinprogress,and

freshlyinked-inareasshowedthelatestdiscoveriesadded.

Thewesternwallwasalsocoveredwithdetailedtechnicaldrawings,expertly

accomplished—butthesewere,asEziosawataglance,designsforbombs.He

wasabletoreadenough,ashepassedthroughtheroomtowardwherePirisat,to

seethatthebombdrawingsweredividedintocategories:Lethal,Tactical,

Diversionary,andSpecialCasings.Analcoveinthewallwasbigenoughto

containaworktable,andbehindit,arrangedwithprecision,anumberof

metalworkers’toolswereplacedonshelves.

ThiswasquiteacontrasttothechaosinwhichLeonardolovedtowork,Ezio

thought,smilingtohimselfatthememoryofhisfriend.

YusufandEziofoundPirihimselfatworkatalargedraftingtabledirectly

underthewindows.SixorsevenyearsyoungerthanEzio,hewasatanned,

weather-beaten,healthy,androbustfigureofaman,wearingabluesilkturban,

underwhichastrongface,currentlybearinganexpressionofintense

concentration,lookedoutattheworkthroughpiercing,cleargreyeyes.His

luxuriantbrownbeardwasneatlytrimmed,thoughwornlong,coveringthe

collarofthehigh-necked,silverbrocadetunichewore,withbaggybluetrousers

andplainwoodenclogs.

HegaveEzioanappraisingglance,whichEzioreturned,asYusufmadethe

introductions.

“What’syournameagain?”saidPiri.

“Ezio.EzioAuditoredaFirenze.”

“Ahyes.IthoughtforamomentYusufsaid‘Lothario.’Didn’thearthe

difference.”HelookedatEzio,andEziocouldhavesworntherewasatwinkle

inhiseye.HadEzio’sreputation—inonedepartmentatleast—precededhim?

Hethoughthewasgoingtolikethisman.

“Ihaveseenyourwork—yourmaps,anyway,”Eziobegan.“Ihadacopyof

theoneyoumadeforCyprus.”

“Didyou?”repliedthesailor,gruffly.Clearly,hedidn’tlikehavinghiswork

interrupted.Oratleastthatwastheimpressionhewantedtogive.

“ButitisanotheraspectofyourexpertiseIhavecometoseekyouradvice

abouttoday.”

“Thatwasagoodmap,theoneofCyprus,”saidPiri,ignoringEzio’sremark.

“ButI’veimproveditsince.Showmeyours.”

Eziohesitated.“Idon’thaveitanymore,”heconfessed.“Igaveit—toafriend

ofmine.”

Pirilookedup.“Verygenerousofyou,”hesaid.“Doyouknowwhatmymaps

areworth?”

“Indeed.ButIowedthatmanmylife.”Eziohesitatedagain.“He’saseaman,

likeyourself.”

“Hmn.What’shisname?Imighthaveheardofhim.”

“He’saMamluk.GoesbythenameofAl-Scarab.”

Pirisuddenlybeamed.“Thatoldrogue!Well,Ihopeheputsittogooduse.At

leastheknowsbetterthantotryanythingonus.”

ThenheturnedhiseyeonYusuf.“Yusuf!Whatareyoudoingstillstanding

there?Don’tyouhaveanythingbettertodo?Takeyourselfoffandleaveyour

friendwithme.I’llseethathehaseverythingheneeds.AnyfriendofAl-Scarab

isafriendofmine!”

Yusufgrinnedandtookhisleave.“IknewI’dbeleavingyouinsafehands,”

hesaidasheleft.

Whentheywerealone,Piribecamemoreserious.“Iknowwhoyouare,Ezio,

andIhaveaprettygoodideawhyyouarehere.Willyoutakesomerefreshment?

There’scoffee,ifyoulikeit.”

“Ihaveacquiredatasteforitatlast.”

“Good!”Piriclappedhishandsatoneofhisassistants,whonoddedandwent

tothebackoftheworkshop,toreturnsoonafterwardwithabrasstrayholdinga

serpentinepot,withminutecups,andadishofsoftamber-coloredsweetmeats,

whichEziohadnevertastedbefore.

“IrememberAl-Scarabfrommyownprivateeringdays,”Pirisaid.“We

foughtsidebysideatbothbattlesofLepantoadozenyearsagoorso,underthe

flagofmyuncleKemal.Nodoubtyou’veheardofhim?”

“Yes.”

“TheSpaniardsfoughtusliketigers,butIdidn’tthinksomuchofthe

GenoeseortheVenetians.You’reaFlorentine,yourself,aren’tyou?”

“Yes.”

“Soyou’realandlubber.”

“Myfamilywerebankers.”

“Onthesurface,yes!Butsomethingfarmorenobleunderneath.”

“Asyouknow,bankingdoesnotruninmybloodasseafaringdoesinyours.”

Pirilaughed.“Wellsaid!”Hesippedhiscoffee,wincingasheburnedhislips.

Thenheeasedhimselfoffhisstoolandstretchedhisshoulders,layingdownhis

pen.“Andthat’squiteenoughsmalltalk.Iseeyou’realreadylookingatthe

drawingsI’mworkingon.Makeanysenseofthem?”

“Icanseethey’renotmaps.”

“Isitmapsyou’reafter?”

“Yesandno.ThereisonethingIwanttoaskyou—aboutthecity—beforeI

talkaboutanythingelse.”

Pirispreadhishands.“Goahead.”

EziotookNiccolòPolo’sbook,TheSecretCrusade,outofhissidewallet,and

showedittoPiri.

“Interesting,”saidtheseaman.“OfcourseIknowallaboutthePolos.Read

Marco’sbook.Exaggeratesabit,ifyouaskme.”

“ItookthisfromaTemplaratMasyaf.Yusufknowsofitandofitscontents.”

“Masyaf?Soyouhavebeenthere.”

“ItmentionsthefivekeystoAltaïr’slibrary.Frommyreadingofit,Iseethat

AltaïrentrustedthekeystoNiccolò,andthathebroughtthemhereand

concealedthem.”

“AndtheTemplarsknowthis?Soit’saraceagainsttime.”

Ezionodded.“They’vealreadyfoundone,hiddeninthecellarsoftheTopkapi

Palace.Ineedtorecoveritandfindtheotherfour.”

“So—wherewillyoubegin?”

“DoyouknowthelocationofthePolos’oldtradingposthere?”

Pirilookedathim.“Icantellyouexactlywhereitwas.Comeoverhere.”He

ledthewaytowherealarge,immenselydetailedmapofConstantinoplehungon

thewallinaplaingoldframe.Hepeeredatitforaninstant,thentappedaspot

withhisindexfinger.“It’sthere.JusttothewestofHaghiaSofia.Nodistance

fromhere.Why?Isthereaconnection?”

“IhaveahunchIneedtofollow.”

Pirilookedathim.“Thatisavaluablebook,”hesaid,slowly.

“Yes.Veryvaluable,ifI’mright.”

“Well,justmakesureitdoesn’tfallintothewronghands.”

Hewassilentforalongmoment,thinking.“Becarefulwhenyoufindthe

Polos’oldtradingpost,”hesaid.“Youmayfindmorethanyoubargainfor

there.”

“Doesthatremarkbegaquestion?”

“Ifitdoes,itisaquestiontowhichIhavenoanswer.Ijustaskyoutobe

wary,myfriend.”

EziohesitatedbeforetakingPirifurtherintohisconfidence.“Ithinkmyquest

willstartinthatplace.Iamsuretheremustbesomethinghiddentherethatwill

givememyfirstclue.”

“Itispossible,”Pirisaid,givingnothingaway.“Butheedmywarning.”

Thenhebrightened,rubbinghishandsvigorously,asiftochaseaway

demons.“Andnowthatwe’vesettledthatmatter,whatelsecanIhelpyou

with?”

“I’msureyou’veguessed.IamhereonanAssassinmission,perhapsthemost

importantever,andYusuftellsmeyouwouldbepreparedtoshowmehowto

makebombs.Thespecialonesyou’vedevelopedhere.”

“Ach,thatYusufhasabigmouth.”ButPirilookedseriousagain.“Icannot

compromisemyposition,Ezio.IamSeniorNavigatorintheSultan’sNavy,and

thisismycurrentproject.”Hewavedhishandsatthemaps.Thenhewinked.

“Thebombsareasideline.ButIliketohelpmytruefriendsinajustcause.”

“Youmayrelyonmydiscretion.AsIhopeImayonyours.”

“Good.Followme.”

Sosaying,Piriledthewaytothespaciousalcoveonthewestwall.“The

bombsareactuallypartofanavalresearchproject,too,”hecontinued.“Through

mysoldiering,Ihavegainedanappreciationforartilleryandexplosives.And

thathasservedtheAssassinswell.Itgivesusanedge.”

Hewavedhishandatthetechnicaldrawings.“Ihavedevelopedmanykinds

ofbombs,andsomearereservedfortheuseofyourBrotherhoodalone.Asyou

cansee,theyaredividedintofourmaincategories.Ofcourse,theyare

expensive,buttheBrotherhoodhasalwaysunderstoodthat.”

“YusuftoldmetheAssassinshereareshortoffunds.”

“Mostgoodcausesusuallyare,”repliedPiri.“ButYusufisalsoresourceful.I

gatheryouknowhowtousetheseweapons?”

“Ihadacrashcourse.”

Pirilookedathimlevelly.“Good.Well,asYusufevidentlypromisedyou,if

youwanttocraftyourownbombs,Icanshowyou.”

Hewentroundthetableandpickeduptwopiecesofstrange-lookingmetal

lyingonit.Ezio,leaningforwardcuriously,reachedforathird.

“Ahahah!Don’ttouchthat!”warnedPiri.“OnewrongmoveandBANG!

Thebuildingcomesdown.”

“Areyouserious?”

Pirilaughed.“Thelookonyourface!Look,I’llshowyou.”

Forthenextfewhours,PiriReistookEziothrougheverybasicstepinvolved

inconstructingeachkindofbombandthematerialsinvolved.

Eziolearnedthateachbombcontainedthefundamentalingredientof

gunpowder,butthatnotallweredesignedtobelethal.He’dalreadyhad

experienceoflethalexplosiveswhenattackingCesareBorgia’sfleetinValencia

fouryearsearlier,andYusufhadshownhimhowtousediversionarybombs

whichcreatedsmokescreens,thunderclaps,appallingodors,andapparent

penniesfromheaven.Pirinowdemonstratedotherapplications.Amongthe

bombswithlethaleffectwerethoseusingcoaldust,whichaddedaheavy

blastingpowertothegunpowder,andfragmentationbombswhoseshrapnel

killedmessilyoverawiderange.Bombscontainingsachetsoflambs’blood

spatteredtheiropponentswithit,causingthemtothinktheyhadbeenwounded,

andpanickingthem.Anothertypeofnonlethalexplosive,usefulindelaying

pursuers,wasthecaltropbomb,whichshowerednumbersoftwisted-together

nailsinthepathofanoncomingenemy.Perhapsthemostunpleasantwerethe

bombsthatusedeitherdaturapowderordeadlynightshade.

“Daturaanddeadlynightshadearetwoofwhatwecallthewitches’weeds,

alongwithhenbaneandmandrake,”Piriexplained,hisfacegrave.“Idonotlike

tousethemexceptincasesofgreatextremityanddanger.Whenexplodedinthe

midstofanenemy,daturacausesdelirium,derangingthebrain,anddeath.Itis

perhapstheworstofall.Deadlynightshadeproducesapoisongas,whichis

equallylethal.”

“TheTemplarswouldnothesitatetousethemagainstusiftheycould.”

“Thatisoneofthemoralparadoxesmankindwillwrestlewithuntilthedayhe

becomestrulycivilized,”repliedPiri.“Isiteviltouseeviltocombatevil?Is

agreeingwiththatargumentmerelyasimplejustificationforsomethingnoneof

usshouldreallydo?”

“Fornow,”saidEzio,“thereisnotleisuretopondersuchquestions.”

“You’llfindtheingredientsforthesebombsinlocationsaboutthecity,which

Yusufwilltellyouof,”saidPiri.“Sokeepyoureyesopenandyournosetothe

groundasyouroamthestreets.”

Eziorosetotakehisleave.Piriextendedawalnutbrownhand.“Comeback

wheneveryouneedmorehelp.”

“Ezioshookhandsandwasunsurprisedatthefirmnessofthegrasp.

“Ihopewewillmeetagain.”

“Oh,”saidPiriwithanenigmaticsmile.“Ihavenodoubtofit.”

TWENTY-FIVE

FollowingPiriReis’sinstructions,EziomadehiswaythroughtheBazaaronce

more,ignoringtheinsistentblandishmentsofthetradersthere,untilhereached

thequarterwestoftheenormousbulkofHaghiaSofia.Healmostgotlostinthe

labyrinthofstreetsandalleywaysarounditbutcameatlasttothespotwhich,he

wassure,Pirihadindicatedonhismap.

Abookshop.AndaVenetiannameoverthedoor.

Heenteredand,tohissurpriseandbarelysuppresseddelight,foundhimself

face-to-facewiththeyoungwomanhehadencounteredonhisvoyageto

Constantinople.Shegreetedhimwarmly,buthesawimmediatelythathewas

merelybeingwelcomedasapotentialcustomer.Therewasnosignof

recognitiononherface.

“Buongiorno!Merhaba!”shesaid,switchingautomaticallyfromItalianto

Turkish.“Pleasecomein.”

Shewasbusyingherselfamongherstockand,inturning,knockedoverapile

ofbooks.EziosawataglancethatthisshopwastheantithesisofPiriReis’s

well-orderedstudio.

“Ah!”saidthewoman.“Excusetheclutter.Ihavenothadtimetotidyup

sincemytrip.”

“YousailedfromRhodes,no?”

Shelookedathiminsurprise.“Sì.Howdidyouknow?”

“Wewereonthesameship.”Hebowedslightly.“MynameisAuditore,

Ezio.”

“AndIamSofiaSartor.Havewemet?”

Eziosmiled.“Wehavenow.MayIlookaround?”

“Prego.Mostofmybestvolumesareintheback,bytheway.”

Underthepretextoflookingatthebooks,stackedinapparentchaosona

mazeofteeteringwoodenshelves,Eziodelveddeeperintothedarkconfinesof

theshop.

“It’snicetomeetanotherItalianinthisdistrict,”Sofiasaid,followinghim.

“MostofuskeeptotheVenetianDistrict,andGalata.”

“It’sgoodtomeetyou,too.ButIthoughtthewarbetweenVeniceandthe

OttomanEmpirewouldhavedrivenmostItaliansaway.Afterall,it’sonlyseven

oreightyearsago.”

“ButVenicekeptcontrolofherislandsintheWhiteSea,andeveryonecame

toanarrangement,”shereplied.“Atleast,forthemoment.”

“Soyoustayed?”

Sheshrugged.“IlivedherewithmyparentswhenIwasagirl.True,whenthe

warwason,wewerepushedout,butIalwaysknewIwouldreturn.”She

hesitated.“Whereareyoufrom?”

“Florence.”

“Ah.”

“Isthataproblem?”

“No,no.IhavemetsomeveryniceFlorentines.”

“There’snoneedtosoundsosurprised.”

“Forgiveme.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthebooks,justask.”

“Grazie.”

“There’sevenmorestockintherearcourtyardifyou’reinterested.”She

lookedalittlerueful.“MorethanIseemtobeabletosell,tobehonest.”

“WhattookyoutoRhodes?”

“TheKnightsofRhodesareuneasy.TheyknowtheOttomanshaven’tgiven

uptheideaoftakingtheislandover.Theythinkit’sonlyaquestionoftime.

PhilippeVilliersdeL’Isle-Adamwassellingoffpartoftheirlibrary.Soitwasa

shoppingtrip,ifyoulike.Notverysuccessful,either.Thepricestheywere

asking!”

“DeL’Isle-AdamisagoodGrandMasterandabraveman.”

“Doyouknowhim?”

“Onlybyrepute.”

Thewomanlookedathimashepokedaround.“Look,niceasitistochatwith

you—areyousureIcannothelp?Youseemabitlost.”

Eziodecidedtocomeclean.“Iamnotreallylookingtobuyanything.”

“Well,”shereplied,atouchcrisply,“I’mnotgivinganythingawayfree,

Messere.”

“Forgiveme.Justbearwithmealittlelonger.Iwillmakeituptoyou.”

“How?”

“I’mworkingonthat.”

“Well,Imustsay—”

ButEziosilencedherwithagesture.Hehadmanhandledonebookshelffrom

thebackwallofthecoveredcourtyard.Thewallwasthickerthantheothers,he

couldseethat,andhe’dnoticedacrackinitthatwasn’tacrackatall.

Itwaspartofadoorframe,artfullyconcealed.

“Diomio!”exclaimedSofia.“Whoputthatthere?”

“Hasanyoneevermovedthesebookshelvesbefore?”

“Never.They’vebeeninplacesincebeforemyfathertookovertheshop,and

beforethat,ithadbeenindisuseforyears—decades,even.”

“Isee.”Eziobrusheddustanddebrisaccumulatedoverwhatlookedlikefar

morethandecadesawayfromthedoorframebutfoundnohandleoranyother

meansofopeningthedoor.Thenherememberedthesecretdoorthatledtothe

vaultbackinMonteriggioni,athisuncle’sfortress,andfeltaroundforahidden

catch.Beforelong,thedoorswungopenandinward.Within,stepsthewidthof

thewallleddownwardintoblackness.

“Thisisincredible,”saidthewoman,peeringoverEzio’sshoulder.He

smelledthesoftscentofherhair,herskin.

“Withyourpermission,I’llfindoutwhereitleadsto,”hesaidfirmly.

“I’llfetchyousomelight.Acandle.”

Shewasbackinmoments,withacandleandatinderbox.“Whoareyou,

Messere?”sheasked,lookingintohiseyes.

“Onlythemostinterestingmaninyourlife.”

Shesmiled,quickly.“Ah!Presuntuoso!”

“Stayhere.Letnooneintotheshop.I’llbebackbeforeyouknowit.”

Leavingher,hedescendedthesteps,fromwhosefootatunnelleddeepinthe

earth.

TWENTY-SIX

Eziofoundhimselfinasystemofundergroundcisterns.Bythefeeblelightof

thecandle,hecouldmakeoutbarrel-vaultedroofssupportedbyrowuponrowof

slendercolumns,decoratedattheircapitalswithavarietyofsymbols,among

whichEziorecognizedeyes.Attheirbases,someofthem,bizarrely,showedthe

invertedheadsofmonstrousGorgons.

Eziorecognizedtheplacehemustbein—theYerebatanSarnici.Thegreat

systemofcisternsbuiltbelowConstantinople.Inhisbook,NiccolòPolo

mentionedit.Ithadbeenbuiltasawater-filtrationsystembyJustiniana

thousandyearsearlier.Butknowingthatdidn’tmakeitfeelanylesscreepy.

Hewasallbutdauntedatthevast,cavernousspacearoundhim,whichhe

judged,fromtheechoesthesoundhismovementsmade,tobeasgreatasa

cathedral.ButherememberedthatNiccolòhadgivensomeindicationinThe

SecretCrusadeofwhereonekeymightbefound.Thedirectionshadbeen

deliberatelyobscure,butEziodecidedtotrytofollowthem,concentratingashe

forcedhismindtorememberthedetails.

Itwashardtomakenonoiseatall,movingthroughtheshallowwaterthat

coveredthefloorofthecistern,butwithpractice,Eziomanagedtoreducethisto

aminimum.Besides,anysoundhemadewassoondrownedoutbythenoiseof

theunsuspectingpeopleheheardupahead.Evidently,hewasnotaloneinhis

quest,andheremindedhimselfthat,beforehegotholdofthebook,ithadbeen

intheTemplars’possession.

Therewerelightsupaheadaswell.Eziodousedhiscandleandcreptforward

towardthem.Soon,hemadeouttheformsoftwoTemplarfootsoldiers,sitting

byasmallfireinadarkpassage.Eziodrewcloser.HisGreekwasgoodenough

topickupmostofwhattheyweresaying.

Theonewhowasspeakingwasinabadmoodandnotafraidtoletitshow.

Indeed,heseemedontheedgeofhysteria.“Tidistihìa!”hewassayingin

aggrievedtomes.“Whatmisery!Doyouknowhowlongwe’vebeensearching

thisfilthycistern?”

“I’vebeenhereafewweeks,”repliedhisquieterfriend.

“That’snothing!Trythirteenmonths!EversinceourGrandMasterfoundthat

damnedkey!”Hecalmedhimselfalittle.“Buthehasn’tgotacluewhathe’s

doing.Allheknows”—thesoldier’stonebecamesarcastic—“isthatthey’re

‘somewhereinthecity.’”

Hearingthis,theothersoldiergrewmoreexcitedhimself,sounding

overwhelmedattheprospectaheadofthem.“Thisisaverybigcity...”

“Iknow!That’swhatIsaidmyself—undermybreath.”

Theywereinterruptedbythearrivalofasergeant.“Getonwithyourwork,

youbums!Youthinkyou’repaidtositaroundonyourarsesallday?”

Grumbling,themenresumedtheirtask.Ezioshadowedthem,hopingtopick

upmoreinformation.Themenwerejoinedbyahandfulofothersoldiers,

similarlybegrimedanddiscontented.

ButEziohadtowatchhisstep.Tiredanddisgruntledthesoldiersmighthave

been,buttheywerewelltrained,andvigilant.

“Petros!”onecalledtoanother.“Makesurewehaveenoughtorchesforthe

excavation.I’mtiredofstumblingaroundinthedark.”

Ezioprickeduphisearsattheword“excavation,”butashemovedforward

again,hisswordscabbardscrapedagainstoneofthecolumns,andthevaulted

roofsechoedandamplifiedtheslightsound.

ThemancalledPetrosdartedalookbehindhim.“There’ssomeonedownhere

withus!”hehissed.“Keepyoureyesopenandyourhandssteady.”

Thetroopswereinstantlyonthealert,urgentlycallingtooneanotherinmuted

voices.

“Doyouseeanything?”

“Searcheverycorner!”

Ezioretreatedfartherintotheshadowsandwaitedpatientlyforthepanicto

diedown.Atthesametime,hemadeamentalnotetobeextracarefulinthe

exaggeratedacoustic.

Gradually,theguardsresumedtheirsearch.Ashewatched,hecouldseethat

theiractionsseemedaimlessandthattheyknewit.Buthecontinuedtowatch,

hopingtodetectapattern,listeningtotheirdesultoryconversationashedidso.

“Itstinksdownhere.”

“Whatdoyouexpect?It’sasewer.”

“Icoulduseabreathofair.”

“Patience!Shift’supinthreehours!”

“Keepitdown,you!”barkedthesergeant,approachingagain.“Andkeepyour

earsopen.TheLordJesusknowswhytheypickedyoulotforadelicatemission

likethis.”

Eziomovedforward,pastthemen,untilhecameuponastoneembankment,

onwhichtwojuniorofficerswerestandingbyabrazier.Helistenedintotheir

conversation.

“We’reonestepaheadoftheAssassins,Iknowthatmuch,”onewassayingto

theother.

“TheGrandMasterhasorderedthatwemakeallhaste.Theymaybecloser

thanwethink.”

“Hemusthavehisreasons.Whatdothesekeyslooklikeanyway?”

“LiketheonewediscoveredbeneathTopkapi.That’sgottobethe

assumption.”

Theotherlieutenantshookhimself.“Eighthoursofthisfilth.Apistefto!”

“Iagree.I’veneverbeensoboredinallmylife.”

“Yeah.Butwe’reboundtofindthekeyssoon.”

“Inyourdreams.”

Butthefirstlieutenanttospeakhadsuddenlyglancedroundquickly.“What

wasthat?”

“Probablyarat.TheSaviorknows,thereareenoughofthemdownhere.”

“Alltheshadowsseemtomove.”

“It’sjustthefirelight.”

“Someoneisoutthere.Icanfeelit.”

“Watchyourself.You’llgomad.”

Ezioinchedpastthem,movingasslowlyashecoulddespitewantingtorush,

forhedarednotletthewateraroundhiscalvesmakesomuchasaripple.Atlast

hefoundhimselfwellbeyondthetwoofficersandtherestoftheTemplars,

feelinghiswayalongthewallofadankcorridor,muchlowerandnarrowerthan

thepillaredhallsitledoff.

Somehow,itfeltright.AssoonasthelightandnoiseoftheTemplarshaddied

outcompletelybehindhim,hefeltsecureenoughtorelightthecandleanddrew

itfromhissidesatchelalongwiththetinderbox,prayingthathewoulddrop

neitherashejuggledtostrikeasparktolightit.

Atlasthewasready.Pausingforamomenttoensurethathewasn’tbeing

followed,hecontinuedalongthecorridorasittwistedandturned,and,tohis

consternation,dividedintoseparate,alternativepassageways.Occasionally,he

tookthewrongoneandcameupagainstablankwall.Retracinghisstepstofind

therightwayagain,hebegantowonderifhewerenotinsomekindofmaze.

Everdeeperanddarkerhewent,prayinghe’drememberthewayback,andthat

hecouldtrustthebookshopowner,untilhewasrewardedbyadimglowahead

ofhim.Nomorethantheglowofafireflybutenoughtoguidehim.

Hefollowedthepassagewayuntilitopenedoutintoasmallcircularchamber,

itsdomedroofallbutlostintheshadowsabove.Halfcolumnsstoodalongthe

wallsatregularintervals,andtherewasnosoundbutthatofdrippingwater.

Inthecenterofthechamberwasasmallstonestand,andonitrestedafolded

map.EzioopeneditandfoundittobeaplanofConstantinople,ininfinitedetail,

withthePolobrothers’oldtradingpostclearlymarkedatitscenter.Fourlines

dividedupthemap,andeachdemarcatedsectionshowedalandmarkofthecity.

Aroundthemarginsofthemapthetitlesoftwelvebookswerewritten,butof

thesetwelvethetitlesoffourwereplaced,oneeach,nexttoeachdividedsection

ofthemap.Thefourbookshadtheirtitlesilluminatedingreen,blue,red,and

black.

Eziocarefullyfoldedthemapagainandplaceditinhissatchel.Thenhe

turnedhisattentiontowhatwasplacedatthecenterofthestonestand.

Itwasacarved-stonedisc,nomorethanfourinchesacross.Thediskwasthin,

taperingtowarditsouteredges,andmadeofastonethatmighthavebeen

obsidian.Itwaspiercedatitsexactcenterbyapreciselycircularhole,halfan

inchindiameter.Itssurfacewascoveredwithdesigns,someofwhichEzio

recognizedfromtheCodexpagesthathadbeeninhisfatheranduncle’s

collection.Asunwhoseraysendedinoutstretchedhandsextendingtowarda

world;strangehumanoidcreaturesofindeterminatesex,withexaggeratedeyes,

lips,foreheads,andbellies;whatlookedlikeabstrusemathematicalsymbolsand

calculations.

Fromthis,thelightning-bugglowemanated.

Carefully,almostreverently,Eziotookitinhishands.Hehadnotexperienced

suchafeelingofawesincehehadlasthandledtheApple,andhealreadyseemed

toknowwhatitwashewashandling.

Asheturneditoverinhishands,itsglowintensified.

Chesuccede?Eziothought.What’shappening...?

Ashewatched,theglowbecameasunburst,fromwhichhehadtoshieldhis

eyes,asthechamberexplodedintoahurricaneoflight.

TWENTY-SEVEN

SomehowEziowasthere,andnotthere.Buthecouldn’tbesureifwasdreaming

orhadfallenintosomekindoftrance.

Butheknewexactlywhenandwherehewas—itwascenturiesbeforehisown

birth—lateinthetwelfthcentury.ThedateoftheyearofOurLord1189floated

throughhisconsciousness,ashewalked—ordrifted—throughswirlingclouds

andcrisscrossingraysofunearthlylight,whichpartedatlasttoreveal—ata

distance—amightyfortress.

Eziorecognizedtheplaceatonce:Masyaf.Thecloudsseemtobearhim

closer.Therewerethesoundsoffiercebattle.Eziosawcavalrymenandinfantry

lockedinmortalcombat.Thenthesoundsofahorse’shooves,asitapproached

atfullgallop.AyoungAssassin,dressedinwhite,cowled,ridingfuriously

throughthescene.

Eziowatched—and,ashewatched,seemedtolosehimself—hisown

personality...Somethingwashappeningwhichseemedhalf-recognized,half-

remembered;amessagefromapastofwhichheknewnothingyetwithwhichhe

wastotallyfamiliar...



Theyoungmaninwhitecharged,withhissworddrawn,throughthegates,into

themidstoftheskirmish.TwoburlyCrusaderswereabouttodeliverthecoupde

gracetoawoundedAssassin.Leaningfromthesaddle,theyoungmanfelledthe

firstsoldierwithacleanstrokebeforereininghishorseinandleapingoffhis

mountinaswirlofdust.ThesecondCrusaderhadwhirledaroundtoconfront

him.Inasecond,theyoungmandrewathrowingknifeandaimeditatthe

Crusader,hurlingitwithdeadlyaccuracy,sothatitburieditselfintheman’s

neck,justbelowthehelmet.Themanfelltohisknees,thencollapsedforward,

onhisfaceinthedirt.

Theyoungmandashedovertotheaidofhiscomrade,whohadcollapsed

againstatree.Theinjuredman’sswordhadslippedfromhishand,andheleaned

forward,hisbackagainstthetreetrunk,graspinghisankleandgrimacing.

“Whereareyouhurt?”askedtheyoungman,urgently.

“Brokenfoot.Youarrivedinthenickoftime.”

Theyoungmanbentunderhiscomradeandhelpedhimtohisfeet,placing

oneofhisarmsroundhisshouldersandhelpinghimtoabenchagainstthewall

ofastoneoutbuilding.

TheinjuredAssassinlookedupathim.“Whatisyourname,brother?”

“Altaïr.SonofUmar.”

TheinjuredAssassin’sfacebrightenedinrecognition.“Umar.Afineman,

whodiedashehadlived—withhonor.”

AthirdAssassinwasstaggeringtowardthemfromthemainpartofthebattle,

bloodiedandexhausted.“Altaïr!”hecried.“Wehavebeenbetrayed!Theenemy

hasoverrunthecastle!”

AltaïrIbn-La’Ahadfinisheddressinghisfallencomrade’swound.Pattinghim

ontheshoulder,hereassuredhim:“You’lllive.”Thenheturnedtoaddressthe

newcomer.Nofriendlylookwasexchangedbetweenthem.“Gravenews,Abbas.

WhereisAlMualim?”

Abbasshookhishead.“HewasinsidewhentheCrusadersbrokethrough.We

candonothingforhimnow.”

Altaïrdidn’treplyimmediatelybutturnedtofacethecastle,risingamongits

rockycragsafewhundredyardsaway.Hewasthinking.

“Altaïr!”Abbasinterruptedhim.“Wemustfallback!”

Altaïrturnedbacktohimcalmly.“Listen.WhenIclosethecastlegates,flank

theCrusaderunitsinthevillageanddrivethemintothecanyontothewest.”

“Samefoolhardiness,”growledAbbasangrily.“Youdon’tstandachance!”

“Abbas!”retortedAltaïrsternly.“Just—makenomistakes.”

Remounting,herodetowardthecastle.Ashecanteredalongthefamiliar

roadway,hewasgrievedatthescenesofdestructionthatmethiseye.Villagers

werestragglingalongthesideofthepath.Oneraisedherheadasshewas

passing,andcried:“CursetheseCrusaders!Maytheyfallbeneathyoursword,

everyoneofthem!”

“Leaveprayerstothepriests,mysister.”

Altaïrspurredhishorseon,hisprogressslowedbypocketsofCrusaders

engagedinlooting,andpreyinguponthosedenizensofMasyafattemptingto

regainthevillagefromthebeleagueredfortress.Threetimeshehadtoexpend

precioustimeandenergyindefendinghispeoplefromthedepredationsofthese

surlyFranks,whostyledthemselvesSoldiersofChrist.Butthewordsof

gratitudeandencouragementranginhisearsasherodeon,andspurredhis

purpose:

“Blessyou,Assassin!”

“IwascertainI’dbekilled!Thankyou!”

“DrivetheseCrusadersbackintothesea,onceandforall!”

Atlasthereachedthegate.Ityawnedopen.Lookingup,Altaïrcouldseea

fellowAssassinfranticallyworkingatthewinchmechanismonthegatehouse,

somehundredfeetabove.AplatoonofAssassinfootsoldiersweregroupedat

thefootofoneofthenearbytowers.

“Whyisthegatestillopen?”Altaïrcalledtohim.

“Bothwinchesarejammed.Thecastleisswarmingwiththeenemy.”

AltaïrlookedintothecourtyardofthecastletoseeagroupofCrusaders

makingforhim.Headdressedthelieutenantinchargeoftheplatoon.“Holdthis

position.”

Sheathinghisswordanddismounting,hestartedtoclimbtheouterwallofthe

gatehouseand,shortlyafterward,arrivedatthesideofthecomradewhowas

workingtofreethewinches.Frantically,theyworkedonthem,andtheir

combinedstrengthprevailed—atleast,enoughtofreethegatepartially,andit

slippeddownafewfeet,judderingandgroaning.

“Nearlythere,”saidAltaïr,throughgrittedteeth.Hismusclesbulgedasheand

hisfellowAssassinstruggledtodislodgethecogsofthesecondwinch.Atlastit

gave,andthegatecamecrashingdownonthemeleebetweenAssassinsand

Crusaderstakingplacebelow.TheAssassinsmanagedtoleapclear,butthe

Crusaders’troopwasdividedbythefallinggate,someinsidethecastle,others

trappedoutside.

Altaïrmadehiswaydownthestonestepsthatledfromthetopofthe

gatehousetothecentralcourtyardofMasyaf.ThescatteredbodiesofAssassins

attestedtothefiercefightingthathadonlyrecentlytakenplacethere.Ashe

lookedaround,scanningtherampartsandbattlements,adoorintheGreatKeep

opened,andfromitemergedagroupofpeoplewhomadehimdrawinhisbreath

sharply.AcompanyofeliteCrusaderinfantrymensurroundedtheMentorofthe

Brotherhood—AlMualim.Theoldmanwassemiconscious.Hewasbeing

draggedalongbytwobrutal-lookingtroopers.Withthemwasafigurewitha

dagger,whomAltaïrrecognized.Abig,toughmanwithdark,unreadableeyes,

andadeep,disfiguringscaronhischin.Histhinhairwastiedupinablack

ribbon.

Haras.

AltaïrhadlongwonderedwhereHaras’strueloyaltieshadlain.AnAssassin

adept,hehadneverseemedsatisfiedwiththerankassignedtohimwithinthe

Brotherhood.Hewasamanwhosoughtaneasyroutetothetopratherthanone

thatrewardedmerit.Thoughamanwithawell-deservedreputationasafighter,

chameleon-like,hehadalwaysmanagedtowormhiswayintootherpeople’s

confidencebyadaptinghispersonalitytosuittheirs.Hisambitionshadclearly

gotthebetterofhim,and,seeinganopportunity,hehadtraitorouslythrownin

hislotwiththeCrusaders.NowheevendressedinCrusaderuniform.

“Standback,Altaïr!”hecried.“Anotherstep,andyourMentordies!”

Atthesoundofthevoice,AlMualimrallied,stoodproud,andraisedhisown

voice.“Killthiswretch,Altaïr!Idonotfeardeath!”

“Youwon’tleavethisplacealive,traitor!”AltaïrcalledtoHaras.

Haraslaughed.“No.Youmisunderstand.Iamnotraitor.”Hetookahelmet,

whichwashangingfromhisbelt,anddonnedit.ACrusaderhelmet!Haras

laughedagain.“Yousee?IcouldneverbetraythoseInevertrulyloved.”

HarasstartedtowalktowardAltaïr.

“Thenyouaredoublywretched,”saidAltaïr.“Foryouhavebeenlivingalie.”

Thingshappenedquicklythen.Harasdrewhisswordandlungedtoward

Altaïr.Atthesamemoment,AlMualimmanagedtobreakfreeofhisguards

and,withastrengththatbeliedhisage,wrestedtheswordfromoneofthemand

cuthimdown.ProfitingfromHaras’smomentarydistraction,Altaïrunleashed

hishidden-bladeandstruckatthetraitor.ButHarassquirmedoutofthewayand

broughthisownsworddowninacowardlystrokewhileAltaïrwasoffbalance.

Altaïrrolledtooneside,springingbacktohisfeetquicklyasaknotof

CrusadersrushedtoHaras’sdefense.Outofthecornerofhiseye,hecouldsee

AlMualimfightinganothergroup.

“Killthebastard!”snarledHaras,steppingoutofharm’sway.

Altaïrtastedfury.Hesurgedforward,slicingthroughthethroatsoftwo

Crusaderassailants.Theothersfellbackinfear,leavingHarasisolatedand

petrified.Altaïrcorneredhimwheretwowallsmet.Hehadtomakehasteand

finishthejob,togotohisMentor’sassistance.

Haras,seeingAltaïrmomentarilydistracted,cutathimquickly,rippingthe

clothofhistunic.Altaïrlashedbackinretaliationandplungedhishidden-blade

straightintothebaseofHaras’sneck,justabovethesternum.Withastrangled

cry,thetraitorfellback,crashingagainstthewall.Altaïrstoodoverhim.

HaraslookedupasAltaïr’sfigureblockedthesun.“Youputtoomuchfaithin

theheartsofmen,Altaïr,”hesaid,barelygettingthewordsoutastheblood

bubbledfromhischest.“TheTemplarsknowwhatistrue.Humansareweak,

base,andpetty.”Hedidn’tknowhecouldhavebeendescribinghimself.

“No,Haras.OurCreedisevidencetothecontrary.Trytoreturntoit,even

now,inyourlasthour.Ibegyououtofpitytoredeemyourself.”

“Youwilllearn,Altaïr.Andyouwilllearnthehardway.”Nevertheless,Haras

pausedinthoughtforamoment,andevenasthelightinhiseyesslowlydied,he

foughtforspeech.“PerhapsIamnotwiseenoughtounderstand,butIsuspect

theoppositeofwhatyoubelieveistrue.Iamatleasttoowisetobelievesuch

rubbishasyoudo.”

Thenhiseyesbecamemarble,andhisbodyleanedtooneside,along,rattling

sighescapingfromitasitrelaxedindeath.

Thedoubthe’dseededinAltaïr’sminddidn’ttakerootimmediately.There

wastoomuchtobedonefortheretobetimeforthought.Theyoungman

wheeledroundandjoinedhisMentor,fightingshouldertoshoulderuntilthe

Crusaderbandwasrouted,eithersprawledinthebloodydustorfled.

Aroundthem,meanwhile,thesignswerethatthebattlehadturnedinthe

Assassins’favor.TheCrusaderarmywasbeatingaretreatfromthecastlethough

thebattlebeyonditcontinued.Messengerssoonarrivedtoconfirmthat.

Recoveringfromtheirexertions,AltaïrandAlMualimpausedforamoment’s

respiteunderatreebythesideofthegateoftheGreatKeep.

“Thatman—thatwretch,Haras—youofferedhimalastchancetosalvagehis

dignity,toseetheerrorofhisways.Why?”

FlatteredthathisMentorshouldseekhisopinion,Altaïrreplied:“Noman

shouldpassfromthisworldwithoutknowingsomekindness,somechanceof

redemption.”

“Butheshunnedwhatyouprofferedhim.”

Altaïrshruggedmildly.“Thatwashisright.”

AlMualimwatchedAltaïr’sfacecloselyforamoment,thensmiled,and

nodded.Together,theystartedtowalktowardthecastlegate.“Altaïr,”Al

Mualimbegan,“Ihavewatchedyougrowfromaboytoamaninaveryshort

time—andIhavetosaythatthisfillsmewithasmuchsadnessaspride.Butone

thingiscertain:YoufitUmar’sshoesasiftheyhadbeenmadeforyou.”

Altaïrraisedhishead.“Ididnotknowhimasafather.OnlyasanAssassin.”

AlMualimplacedahandonhisshoulder.“You,too,werebornintothisOrder

—thisBrotherhood.”Hepaused.“Arethereevertimeswhenyou—regretit?”

“Mentor—howcanIregrettheonlylifeIhaveeverknown?”

AlMualimnoddedsagely,lookingupbrieflytomakeasigntoanAssassin

lookoutperchedhighontheparapetwall.“Youmayfindanotherway,intime,

Altaïr.Andifthattimecomes,itwillbeuptoyoutochoosethepathyou

prefer.”

InresponsetoAlMualim’ssignal,themeninthegatehousewerewinchingup

thecastlegateagain.

“Come,myboy,”theoldmansaid.“Andreadyyourblade.Thisbattleisnot

wonyet.”

Together,theystrodetowardtheopengate,intothebrightsunshinebeyond.



Brightsunshine,awhitelightsostrong,soall-encompassing,thatEziowas

dazzled.Heblinkedtoridhiseyesofthemulticoloredshapesthatappeared

beforethem,shakinghisheadvigorouslytoescapefromwhatevervisionhad

himinitsgrip.Hesqueezedthemtightshut.

Whenheopenedthem,hisheartbeathadbeguntosettletoitsnormalrhythm,

andhefoundhimselfonceagaininthesubterraneanchamber,thesoftlight

returned.Hefoundthathewasstillholdingthestonediscinhishand,andnow

hewasinnodoubtatallaboutwhatitwas.

Hehadfoundthefirstkey.

Helookedathiscandle.Hehadseemedtobeawayforalongtime,yetthe

flameburnedsteadilyandhadeatenupscarcelyanytallow.

Hestowedthekeywiththemapinhispouchandturnedtomakehiswayback

tothedaylight,andtoSofia.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Excitedly,Sofiaputdownthebookshe’dbeentryingtoreadandranoverto

him,butdrawingthelineattakinghiminherarms.“Ezio!Salve!I’dthought

youweregoneforever!”

“SodidI,”saidEzio.

“Didyoufindanything?”

“Yes,Idid.Somethingthatmayinterestyou.”

Theywalkedovertoalargetable,whichSofiaclearedofbooksasEzio

producedthemaphe’dfoundandspreaditout.

“Diomio,howbeautiful!”sheexclaimed.“Andlook—there’smyshop.Inthe

middle.”

“Yes.It’sonaveryimportantsite.Butlookatthemargins.”

Sheproducedapairofeyeglassesand,bendingover,examinedthebooktitles

closely.

“Rarebooks,these.Andwhatarethesymbolssurroundingthem?”

“That’swhatIhopetofindout.”

“Someofthesebooksarereallyextremelyrare.Andafewofthemhaven’t

beenseenfor—well—morethanamillennium!Theymustbeworthafortune!”

“YourshopisontheverysiteofthetradingpostoncerunbythePolobrothers

—NiccolòandMaffeo.Niccolòhidthesebooksaroundthecity.Thismap

shouldtelluswhereifwecanfindouthowtointerpretit.”

Shetookoffherglassesandlookedathim,intrigued.“Hmmn.Youare

beginningtointerestme.Vaguely.”

Eziosmiledandleanedforward.Hepointedtothemap.“FromwhatIcansee,

fromamongthetwelvetitles,Ineedtofindthesethreefirst.”

“Whatoftheothers?”

“Thatremainstobeseen.Theymaybedeliberateredherrings.ButIam

convincedthatthesearetheonestoconcentrateon.Theymaycontainclues

aboutthelocationsoftherestofthese—”

Heproducedtheroundstonefromhissatchel.Shedonnedherglassesagain

andpeeredatit.Theshestoodback,shakingherhead.“Moltocurioso.”

“It’sthekeytoalibrary.”

“Doesn’tlooklikeakey.”

“It’saveryspeciallibrary.Anotherhasbeenfoundalready—beneathTopkapi

Palace.But,Godwilling,thereisstilltimetofindtheothers.”

“Found—bywhom?”

“Menwhodonotread.”

Sofiagrinnedatthat.ButEzioremainedearnest.“Sofia—doyouthinkyou

couldtrytodecipherthismap?Helpmefindthesebooks?”

Sofiastudiedthemapagainforafewminutes,insilence.Thenshe

straightenedandlookedatEzio,smiling,atwinkleinhereye.“Thereareplenty

ofreferencebooksinthisshop.Withtheirhelp,IthinkIcanunravelthis

mystery.Butononecondition.”

“Yes?”

“MayIborrowthebookswhenyou’vefinishedwiththem?”

Eziolookedamused.“Idaresaywecanworksomethingout.”

Hetookhisleave.Shewatchedhimgo,thenclosedtheshopfortheday.

Returningtothetable,aftercollectinganumberoftomesfromtheshelves

nearbytohelpher,andanotebookandpens,shepulledupachairandsettled

downatoncetoexaminingthemapinearnest.

TWENTY-NINE

Thenextday,EziometYusufneartheHippodromeinthesoutheastquarterof

thepeninsula.Hefoundhimconferringwithagroupofyoungerassociatesover

amaptheywerestudying.ThemeetingbrokeupasEzioarrived,andYusuf

foldeduphismap.

“Greetings,Mentor,”hesaid.“IfI’mnotmistaken,there’sapleasantsurprise

instore.AndifI’mnotdeadbythistimetomorrow,weshouldhavesomegood

storiestotrade.”

“Isthereachanceofyourbeingdead?”

“We’vehadwindofaplantheByzantinesarehatching.Nowthattheyoung

PrinceSuleimanhasreturnedfromthehajj,theyplantoinfiltrateTopkapi

Palace.They’vechosenthiseveningtomaketheirmove.”

“What’sspecialaboutthisevening?”

“There’sanentertainmentatthepalace.Aculturalevent.Anexhibitionof

paintings—peopleliketheBellinibrothers—andSeljukartists,too.Andthere’ll

bemusic.”

“Sowhat’sourplan?”

Yusuflookedathimgravely.“Mybrother,thisisnotyourfight.Thereisno

needforyoutoensnareyourselfinOttomanaffairs.”

“Topkapiconcernsme.TheTemplarsfoundoneofthekeystoAltaïr’slibrary

beneathit,andI’dliketoknowhow.”

“Ezio,ourplanistoprotecttheprince,notinterrogatehim.”

“Trustme,Yusuf.Justshowmewheretogo.”

Yusuflookedunconvinced,butsaid:“Therendezvousisatthemaingateof

thepalace.Weplantodisguiseourselvesasmusiciansandwalkrightinwiththe

authenticplayers.”

“I’llmeetyouthere.”

“You’llneedacostume.Andaninstrument.”

“Iusedtoplaythelute.”

“We’llseewhatwecando.Andwe’dbetterplaceyouwiththeItalian

musicians.Youdon’tlookTurkishenoughtopassforoneofus.”



Bydusk,Ezio,Yusuf,andhispickedteamofAssassins,alldressedinformal

costumes,hadassemblednearthemaingate.

“Doyoulikeyourgetup?”askedYusuf.

“It’sfine.Butthesleevesarecuttight.Therewasnoroomforanyconcealed

weapon.”

“Youcan’tplayaluteinloosesleeves.Andthat’swhatyouare—aluteplayer.

Isn’tthatwhatyouwanted?”

“True.”

“Andwearearmed.Youmarkanytargetsandleaveittoustotakethemout.

Here’syourinstrument.”Hetookafinelutefromoneofhismenandpasseditto

Ezio,whotriedit,tentatively.

“ByAllah,you’llhavetomakeabettersoundthanthat!”saidYusuf.

“It’sbeenalongtime.”

“Areyousureyouknowhowtoplaythatthing?”

“IlearnedafewchordswhenIwasyoung.”

“Wereyoureallyeveryoung?”

“Alongtimeago.”

Yusuftwitchedathisowncostume,agreen-and-yellowsatinnumber.“Ifeel

ridiculousinthisoutfit.Ilookridiculous!”

“Youlookjustlikealltheothermusicians,andthat’stheimportantthing.

Now,comeon—theorchestra’sassembling.”

TheycrossedovertowhereanumberofItalianinstrumentalistsweremilling

about,impatienttogainentrytothepalace.Yusufandhismenwereequippedas

Turkishmusicians,withtanburs,ouds,kanuns,andkudüms,allinstruments

which,betweenthem,theycouldplaypassably.Eziowatchedthembeing

usheredthroughasideentrance.

Eziofounditagreeabletobeamonghisfellowcountrymenagain,anddipped

inandoutofconversationwiththem.

“You’refromFlorence?Welcome!Thisshouldbeagoodgig,”onetoldhim.

“Youcallthisagoodgig?”aviolplayerchippedin.“Youshouldtryplaying

inFrance!They’vegotallthebestpeople.Iwastherenotsixmonthsagoand

heardJosquin’sQuiHabitat.It’sthemostbeautifulchoraleI’veeverlistenedto.

Doyouknowhiswork,Ezio?”

“Alittle.”

“Josquin,”saidthefirstmusician,asackbutplayer.“Yes,he’satreasure.

There’scertainlynomaninItalytomatchhistalent.”

“Ourtimewillcome.”

“Iseeyou’realutenist,Ezio,”amancarryingachitarrasaidtohim.“I’ve

beenexperimentingwithalternativetuningslately.It’sawonderfulwaytospark

newideas.Forexample,I’vebeentuningmyfourthstringtoaminorthird.It

givesaverysombersound.Bytheway,didyoubringanyextrastringswith

you?Imusthavebrokensixthismonth.”

“Josquin’smusic’stooexperimentalforme,”saidacitternist.“Believeme,

polyphonywillnevercatchon.”

“Remindme,”saidthechitarraplayer,ignoringhiscolleague’sremark.“I’d

liketolearnafeweasterntuningsbeforeweleave.”

“Goodidea.Imustsaythisisagreatplacetowork.Thepeoplehereareso

kind,too.NotlikeVerona.Youcanhardlycrossthestreettherethesedays

withoutgettingmugged,”amusiciancarryingashawmputin.

“Whendowegoon?”Ezioasked.

“Soonenough,”repliedthecitternplayer.“Look,they’reopeningthegates

now.”

Themanwiththeviolpluckedcriticallyathisstrings,thenlookedpleased.

“It’sasplendiddayformusic,don’tyouthink,Ezio?”

“Ihopeso,”Ezioreplied.

Theymadetheirwaytothegate,whereOttomanofficialswerechecking

peoplethrough.

Unluckily,whenEzio’sturncame,oneofthemstoppedhim.

“Playusatune,”hesaid.“Ilikethesoundofalute.”

Eziowatchedhelplesslyashisfellowmusiciansfiledpast.“Perdonate,buon

signore,butI’mpartoftheentertainmentforPrinceSuleiman.”

“Anyoldgerzekcancarryaninstrumentaround,andwedon’trememberyou

beingpartofthisparticularband.Soplayusatune.”

Takingadeepbreath,Eziostartedtopluckoutasimpleballatahe

rememberedlearningwhentheystillhadthefamilypalazzoinFlorence.He

twangedawfully.

“That’s—forgiveme—terrible!”saidtheofficial.“Orareyouintosomenew

experimentalmusic?”

“Youmightaswellbestrummingawashboard,asstrings,theracketyou’re

making,”saidanother,comingover,amused.

“Yousoundlikeadyingcat.”

“Ican’tworkunderthesecircumstances,”Eziosaidhuffily.“Givemea

chancetogetwarmedup.”

“Allright!Andgetyourselfintunewhileyou’reatit.”

Eziowilledhimselftoconcentrateandtriedagain.Afterafewinitial

stumbles,thistimehemanagedtomakeafairfistofastraightforwardoldpiece

byLandini.Itwasquitemoving,intheend,andtheOttomanofficialsactually

applauded.

“Pekala,”saidtheonewhohadfirstchallengedhim.“Inyougo,then,and

bothertheguestswiththatnoise.”

Onceinside,Eziofoundhimselfinthemidstofagreatthrong.Awidemarble

courtyard,partiallycovered,likeanatrium,glitteredwithlightandcolorunder

theboughsoftamarinds.Guestswerewanderingaboutasservantsmadetheir

waybetweenthemwithtraysloadedwithsweetmeatsandrefreshingdrinks.

TherewereplentyofOttomangentrypresent,aswellasdiplomatsandhigh-

profileartistsandbusinessmenfromItaly,Serbia,thePeloponnese,Persia,and

Armenia.ItwashardtodetectanypossibleByzantineinfiltratorsinthis

sophisticatedassembly.

EziodecidedthathisbestcourseofactionwouldbetotrytorejointheItalian

musicaltroupehe’dbeentalkingwith,buttookhistimeaboutit,gettingthelay

oftheland.

Buttheroyalguardswerevigilant,andbeforelong,oneofthemaccostedhim.

“Excuseme,sir,areyoulost?”

“No.”

“Musicianareyou?Well,you’rebeingpaidtoplay,nottomingle!”

Eziowasfuriousbuthadtocontainhisangerinordernottoblowhiscover.

Fortunatelyforhim,hewasrescuedbyagroupofwealthy-lookinglocals,four

sleekmenandfourheartstoppinglybeautifulwomen.

“Playussomething,”theyentreatedhim,formingacircleroundhim.

EzioranthroughtheLandiniagain,rememberingsomeotherpiecesbythat

composerandprayingthathisaudiencewouldn’tfindthemtooold-fashioned.

Buttheywereentranced.And,ashisconfidenceincreased,Eziowaspleased

thathismusicianshipalsoimproved.Heevendaredtoimprovisealittle.Andto

sing.

“Pekgüzel,”commentedoneofthemen,ashefinishedaset.

“Indeed—quitebeautiful,”agreedhispartner,inwhosedeepvioleteyesEzio

wouldquitehappilyhavedied.

“Hmn.Technique’snotquitewhatitmightbe,”commentedoneoftheother

men.

“Oh,Murad,youaresuchapedant.Thinkoftheexpression!That’sthemain

thing.”

“Heplaysalmostaswellashedresses,”saidasecondwoman,eyeinghim.

“Asoundasbeautifulasrainfall,”saidathird.

“Indeed,theItalianluteiseverybitaslovelyasouroud,”concededMurad,

pullinghispartnerawayfromEzio.“Butnow,alas,wemustmingle.”

“Tesekkürederim,efendim,”thewomenchirrupedastheydeparted.

Ezio,hiscredentialsconfirmed,wasleftunmolestedbytheguardsfromthen

on,andwasabletomakecontactwithYusufandhisteam.

“Brilliant,Mentor,”saidYusuf,whenthey’dreconnected.“Butdon’tbeseen

talkingtous—it’lllooksuspicious.Trytomakeyourwaytothesecond

courtyard—theinnerone—throughthere.I’lljoinyou.”

“Goodthinking,”Ezioagreed.“Butwhatmayweexpectthere?”

“Theinnercircle.Theentourageoftheprince.And,ifwearefortunate,

Suleimanhimself.Butbeonyourguard,Mentor.Theremaybedangerthere,

too.”

THIRTY

Itwasconsiderablyquieterinthesecondcourtyard,butthedecorations,thefood

anddrink,andthequalityofbothmusicandartwerejustthatlittlebitmore

splendid.

EzioandYusuf,keepinginthebackground,scannedtheguests.

“IdonotseePrinceSuleiman,”Yusufsaid.

“Wait!”Eziopromptedhim.

Theorchestrastruckupafanfare,andtheguestsallturnedexpectantlytoward

agatewayinthecenteroftherearwallofthecourtyard,drapedwithrich

hangings.CostlysilkIsfahancarpetswerespreadonthegroundinfrontofit.

Momentslater,asmallgroupofpeopleemerged,clusteredaroundthetwomen

wholedthem—eachcladinasuitofwhitesilk,onewearingaturbanwith

diamondpins,theotheraturbanwithemeralds.Ezio’seyesweredrawntothe

youngerofthese,andhislipspartedasherecognizedhim.

“Theyoungman?”heaskedhiscompanion.

“ThatisPrinceSuleiman,”Yusuftoldhim.“SultanBayezid’sgrandson,and

governorofKefe.Andhe’sonlyseventeen.”

Eziowasamused.“Imethimontheship,onthewayhere.Hetoldmehewas

astudent.”

“I’veheardthathelikestotravelincognito.It’salsoasecuritymeasure.He

wasreturningfromthehajj.”

“Whoistheotherman?Theonewithemeraldsinhisturban?”

“Hisuncle,PrinceAhmet.Thesultan’sfavoredson.Heisgroominghimself

forthesuccessionaswespeak.”

Astheywatched,thetwoprincesstood,asfavoredguestswerepresentedto

them.Thentheprincesacceptedglassesofruby-coloredliquid.

“Wine?”askedEzio.

“Cranberryjuice.”

“Serefe!Sagliginiza!”Ahmetsaid,raisinghisvoicewithhisglass,toasting

theassembly.

Aftertheformaltoasts,YusufandEziocontinuedtowatch,asbothguestsand

hostsbecamemorerelaxed.ThoughasSuleimaninparticularmingled,Ezio

noticedthathisguardswerediscreetlybutcontinuallyattentive.Theseguards

weretall,andnoneofthemlookedTurkish.Theyworeadistinctiveuniformof

whiterobes,andtheirheadgearwasahigh,white,taperingcap,likethatofa

dervish.All,equally,woremustaches.Nonewaseitherclean-shavenorhada

beard.EzioknewenoughaboutOttomancustomtorealizethatthismeantthat

theyhadthestatusofslaves.Weretheysomekindofprivatebodyguard?

Suddenly,YusufcaughtEzio’sarm.“Look!Thatmanoverthere!”

Athin,paleyoungmanwithfine,light-coloredhairanddarkbrown,

expressionlesseyeshadsidledupclosetoSuleiman.Hewasexpensivelydressed

andmighthavebeenaprosperousSerbianarmsdealer,atanyratesomeone

importantenoughtohavemadeitontotheguestlistforthesecondcourtyard.As

Ezioquicklyscannedthecrowd,hesawfourmoreelegantlydressedmen,none

ofthemTurks,bytheirlooks,takingupwhatcouldonlybebackuppositionsand

discreetlysignalingtooneanother.

BeforeYusuforEziocouldreact,thethinyoungman,alreadyatSuleiman’s

elbow,had,withthespeedoflight,drawnathin,curvedjanbiyahandwas

plungingitdowntowardtheprince’schest.Atthesameinstant,theclosestguard

tohimnoticedandsprangintotheblade’spath.

Therewasinstantaneouschaosandconfusion.Guestswerepushedroughly

asideasguardsrantoassistbothprincesandtheirfallencomrade,whilethefive

Templarwould-bekillerstriedtomaketheirescapethroughthecrowd,now

millingaroundinuproarandpanic.Thethinyoungmanhadvanished,butthe

guardshadidentifiedhiscompanionsandwerenowpursuingthem

systematically,theByzantineplottersusingtheconfusedanddisorientedguests

asobstaclestoputbetweenthemandtheirhunters.Exitsweresealed,butthe

conspiratorsattemptedtoclimboutofthecourtyard.Intheconfusion,Prince

Ahmethaddisappeared,andPrinceSuleimanhadbeenleftisolated.Eziosaw

thathehaddrawnasmalldaggerbutcalmlystoodhisground.

“Ezio!”Yusufsuddenlyhissed.“Lookthere!”

EziofollowedthedirectionYusufwaspointinginandsawthatthethinyoung

manhadreturned.Now,breakingoutofthecrowdbehindtheprince,hewas

closingonhim,hisweaponpoised.

EziowasfarcloserthanYusufandrealizedthatonlyhecouldsavetheprince

intime.Buthehadnoweaponhimself!Thenhelookeddownatthelute,which

hewasstillholdinginhishands,and,withagruntofregret,madehisdecision

andsmasheditagainstanearbycolumn.Itshatteredbutlefthimwithasharp

shardofsprucewoodinhishand.

Inaninstant,Eziosprangforwardand,seizingtheByzantinebyhisbony

wristandforcinghimbackwardjustashewasintheactofmovinginforthe

kill,drovetheshardfourinchesdeepintotheman’slefteye.TheByzantine

stoppedasifhehadbeenfrozeninmotion,thenthejanbiyahfellfromhishand

andclatteredontothemarblefloor.Hehimselfcrumpledtotheground

immediatelyafterward.

Thecrowdfellsilent,formingacirclearoundEzioandSuleimanata

respectfuldistance.Theguardstriedtointervene,butSuleimanstayedthemwith

agesture.

Theprincesheathedhisowndaggerandtookasmallbreath.Thenhetooka

steptowardEzio—asignalhonorfromaprince,whichthecrowdacknowledged

withagasp.

“Itisgoodtoseeyouagain,miobelmenestrello.DidIsaythatright?”

“‘Myhandsomeminstrel.’Verygood.”

“Itisapityaboutyourlute.Somuchmorebeautifulaninstrumentthana

sword.”

“Youareright.Butitdoesnotsavelives.”

“Somewouldarguewiththat.”

“Perhaps.Inothercircumstances.”Thetwomenexchangedasmile.“Ihear

youareagovernoraswellasaprince.Isthereanythingyoudonotdo?”

“Idonottalktostrangers.”Suleimanbowed—aslightinclinationofthehead

only.“IamSuleimanOsman.”

“Auditore,Ezio...”Eziobowedinhisturn.

Oneofthewhite-cladguardsapproachedthen.Asergeant.“Forgiveme,my

prince.Onbehalfofyouruncle,wemusthaveyourassurancethatyouare

uninjured.”

“Whereishe?”

“Heawaitsyou.”

Suleimanlookedathimcoldly.“Tellhimthat,thankstothisman,Iam

uninjured.Butnothankstoyou!You!TheJanissaries!Theeliteguard,andyou

failme,aprinceoftheroyalhouse,likethis!Whereisyourcaptain?”

“TarikBarletiisaway—onanerrand.”

“Onanerrand?Doyoureallywishtoshowyourselvessuchamateursinfront

ofthisstranger?”Suleimandrewhimselfupastheguard,amusculargiantwho

musthaveweighedallofthreehundredpounds,trembledbeforehim.“Clearthis

bodyawayandsendtheguestshome.ThensummonTariktotheDivan!”

TurningbacktoEzioasthemanscuttledoff,Suleimansaid:“Thisis

embarrassing.TheJanissariesarethebodyguardofthesultan.”

“Butnotofhisfamily?”

“Onthisoccasion,itwouldappearnot.”Suleimanpaused,givingEzioan

appraisinglook.“Now,Idon’twishtoimposeonyourtime,butthereis

somethingIwouldlikeyouropinionon.Somethingimportant.”

YusufwassignalingtoEziofromtheedgeofthecrowd,nowslowly

dispersing.

“Allowmesimplythetimetochangeoutofthiscostume,”Eziosaid,nodding

discreetlytohisfriend.

“Verywell.There’ssomethingIneedtoarrangefirstinanycase.Meetmeby

theDivanwhenyouareready.Myattendantswillescortyou.”

Heclappedhishandsanddepartedthewayhehadcome.



“Thatwasquiteaperformance,”Yusufsaid,astheymadetheirwayoutofthe

palaceinthecompanyoftwoofSuleiman’spersonalattendants.“Butyou’ve

givenusanintroductionwewouldneverhavedreamedpossible.”

“Theintroduction,”Ezioremindedhim,“ismine.”

THIRTY-ONE

SuleimanwasalreadywaitingwhenEziojoinedhimoutsidetheDivan—the

councilchamber—ofthepalace,ashorttimelater.Theyoungmanwaslooking

composedandalert.

“Ihavearrangedameetingwithmyuncle,PrinceAhmet,andCaptainTarik

Barleti,”heannouncedwithoutpreamble.“ThereissomethingIshouldexplain

first.TheJanissariesareloyaltomygrandfather,buttheyhavebecomeangry

overhischoiceforthenextsultan.”

“Ahmet.”

“Exactly.TheJanissariesfavormyfather,Selim.”

“Hmn,”saidEzio,considering.“Youareinatoughspot.Buttellme—howdo

theByzantinesfitintothis?”

Suleimanshookhishead.“Iwashopingyoumightbeabletogivemesome

guidanceonthat.Wouldyoubewillingtohelpmefindout?”

“Iamtrackingthemmyself.Aslongasourinterestsdonotconflict,itwould

beanhonortoassistyou.”

Suleimansmiledenigmatically.“ThenImustacceptwhatIcanget.”He

paused.“Listen.Thereisahatchatthetopofthetoweryouseeoverthere.Go

upandliftthehatch.Youwillbeabletoseeandheareverythingthatissaidin

theDivan.”

Ezionoddedandimmediatelytookhisleave,whileSuleimanturnedand

enteredtheDivanhimself.



BythetimeEziohadreachedhisvantagepoint,thediscussioninthecouncil

chamberbelowhimhadalreadybegunandwasalreadybecomingheated.The

threemeninvolvedsatorstoodaroundalongtable,coveredwithBergama

carpets.Behindthetable,atapestrydepictingBayezid,flankedbyhissons,hung

onthewall.

Ahmet,avigorousmaninhismidforties,withshort,darkbrownhairanda

fullbeard,currentlybareheadedandchangedintorichgarmentsofred,green,

andwhite,wasinthemiddleofatirade:“Heedmynephew,Tarik.Your

incompetencebordersontreason.TothinkthattodayyourJanissarieswere

outshonebyanItalianluteplayer!Itispreposterous!”

TarikBarleti,thelowerhalfofhisbattle-scarredfacelostinagrizzledbeard,

lookedgrim.“Aninexcusablefailing,efendim.Iwillconductafull

investigation.”

Suleimancutin.“ItisIwhowillconducttheinvestigation,Tarik.Forreasons

thatshouldbeobvious.”

Barletinoddedshortly.“Evet,Sehzadem.Clearlyyouhaveyourfather’s

wisdom.”

Ahmetshotthecaptainafuriousglanceatthat,whileSuleimanretorted:“And

hisimpatience.”Heturnedtohisuncle,histoneformal.“SehzadAhmet,Iamat

leastrelievedtoseethatyouaresafe.”

“Likewise,Suleiman.MayGodprotectyou.”

Suleiman,Eziocouldsee,wasplayingsomekindoflonggame.Ashe

watched,theyoungprinceroseandsummonedhisattendants.

“Iwilltakemyleaveofyounow,”heannounced.“AndIwillmakemyreport

onthisdisgracefulincidentverysoon,youmaybesureofthat.”

Accompaniedbyhisretinueandguard,hestrodefromtheDivan.Tarik

Barletiwasabouttofollowsuit,butPrinceAhmetdetainedhim.

“Tarikbey—aword?”

Thesoldierturned.Ahmetbeckonedhimtoapproach.Histonewascordial.

Eziohadtostraintocatchhiswords.

“Whatwasthepurposeofthisattack,Iwonder?Tomakemelookweak?To

makemeappearanineffectivestewardofthiscity?”Hepaused.“Ifthatwas

yourplan,mydearcaptain;ifyouhadahandinthismess,youhavemadea

gravemistake!Myfatherhaschosenmeasthenextsultan,notmybrother!”

Tarikdidnotanswerimmediately,hisfaceexpressionless,almostbored.At

last,hesaid,“PrinceAhmet,Iamnotdepravedenoughtoimaginethe

conspiracyyouaccusemeof.”

Ahmettookastepbackthoughhistoneremainedlevelandaffable.“What

haveIdonetoearnsuchcontemptfromtheJanissaryCorps?Whathasmy

brotherdoneforyouthatIhavenot?”

Tarikhesitated,thensaid:“MayIspeakfreely?”

Ahmetspreadhishands.“You’dbetter,Ithink.”

Tarikfacedhim.“Youareweak,Ahmet.Pensiveintimesofwarandrestless

intimesofpeace.Youlackpassionforthetraditionsoftheghazi—theHoly

Warriors—andyouspeakoffraternityinthecompanyofinfidels.”Hepaused.

“Youwouldmakeadecentphilosopher,Ahmet,butyouwillbeapoorsultan.”

Ahmet’sfacedarkened.Hesnappedhisfingers,andhisownbodyguardcame

toattentionbehindhim.

“Youmayshowyourselfout,”hetoldtheJanissarycaptain,andhisvoicewas

likeice.



Eziowasstillwatching,as,afewminuteslater,Ahmethimselfsweptoutofthe

Divan.Amomentlater,EziowasjoinedbyPrinceSuleiman.

“Quiteafamily,eh?”saidtheprince.“Don’tworry.Iwaslistening,too.”

Eziolookedworried.“Yourunclelacksswayovertheverymenhewillsoon

command.Whydidhenotcutthatmandownwherehestood,forsuch

insolence?”

“Tarikisahardman,”repliedtheprince,spreadinghishands.“Capable,but

ambitious.Andheadmiresmyfathergreatly.”

“ButhefailedtosafeguardthispalaceagainstaByzantineattemptonyour

lifeinitsinnersanctum!Thataloneisworthyofinvestigation.”

“Precisely.”

“So—whereshouldwebegin?”

Suleimanconsidered.Eziowatchedhim.Anoldheadonveryyoung

shoulders,hethought,withrenewedrespect.

Suleimansaid,“Fornow,we’llkeepaneyeonTarikandhisJanissaries.They

spendmuchoftheirfreetimeinandaroundtheBazaar.Canyouhandlethat—

youandyour...associates?”Hephrasedthelastwordsdelicately.

AtthebackofEzio’smindwasthememoryofYusuf’sadmonitionnottoget

involvedinOttomanpolitics,butsomehowhisownquestandthispower

strugglelookedconnected.Hemadehisdecision.

“Fromnowon,PrinceSuleiman,noneofthemwillpurchasesomuchasa

handkerchiefwithoutourknowledge.”

THIRTY-TWO

HavingensuredthatYusufandtheAssassinsofConstantinoplewerefully

briefedinshadowingallmovementsofoff-dutyJanissariesintheGrandBazaar,

Ezio,accompaniedbyAzize,madehiswaydowntothesoutherndocksofthe

citytocollectbomb-makingmaterialsfromalistcompiledforhimbyPiriReis.

Hehadcompletedhispurchasesanddispatchedthem,withAzize,tothe

Assassins’headquartersinthecity,whenhenoticedSofiainthecrowdthronging

thequays.ShewastalkingtoamanwholookedasifhemightbeanItalian,a

manofabouthisownage.Ashedrewcloser,henotonlysawthatshewas

lookingmorethanalittlediscomfitedbutrecognizedwhoshewastalkingto.

Eziowasamused,butalsonotalittlediscomfitedhimself.Theman’s

unexpectedappearanceevokedanumberofmemoriesandanumberof

conflictingemotions.

Withoutrevealinghispresence,Eziodrewcloser.

ItwasDuccioDovizi.Decadesearlier,Eziohadcomeclosetobreakinghis

rightarmsinceDucciohadbeentwo-timingClaudia,towhomhewasengaged.

Thearm,Ezionoticed,stillhadakinkinit.Ducciohimselfhadagedbadlyand

lookedhaggard.Butthatclearlyhadn’tcrampedhisstyle.Hewasevidently

smittenbySofiaandwaspesteringherforattention.

“Miacara,”hewassayingtoher,“thestringsofFatehavedrawnustogether.

TwoItalians,lostandaloneintheOrient.Doyounotfeelthemagnetismo?”

Sofia,boredandannoyed,replied:“Ifeelmanythings,Messere—nausea,

aboveall.”

Withasenseofdéjàvu,Eziothoughtitwastimetomakehismove.“Isthis

manbotheringyou,Sofia?”heasked,approaching.

Duccio,fumingatthisinterruption,turnedtofacethenewcomer.“Excuseme,

Messere,buttheladyandIare—”

HetrailedoffasherecognizedEzio.“Ah!Ildiavoloinperson!”Hislefthand

wentinvoluntarilytohisrightarm.“Stayback!”

“Duccio,whatapleasuretoseeyouagain.”

Ducciodidn’treplybutstumbledaway,trippingoverthecobblestonesashe

didso,andcrying,“Run,buonadonna!Runforyourlife!”

Theywatchedhimdisappearalongthejetty.Therewasanawkwardpause.

“Whowasthat?”

“Adog,”Eziotoldher.“Hewasengagedtomysister,manyyearsago.”

“Andwhathappened?”

“Hiscazzowasengagedtosixothers.”

“Youexpressyourselfverycandidly.”Sofiasoundedmildlysurprisedby

Ezio’suseoftheword“dick”butnotoffended.

“Forgiveme.”Hepausedforamoment,thenasked:“Whatbringsyoutothese

docks?”

“Itookabreakfromtheshoptocollectapackage,butthecustomspeople

hereclaimthattheship’spapersarenotinorder.So,Iwait.”

Ezioglancedaroundthewell-guardedharbor,gettingasenseofitslayout.

“It’ssuchabother,”Sofiacontinued.“Icouldbehereallday.”

“LetmeseewhatIcando,”hesaid.“Iknowafewwaysofbendingthe

rules.”

“Doyounow?Well,ImustsayIadmireyourbravado.”

“Leaveittome.I’llmeetyoubackatyourshop.”

“Wellthen”—sherummagedinherbag—“hereisthepaperwork.Theparcel

isquitevaluable.Pleasetakecareofit—ifyoumanagetogetitawayfrom

them.”

“Iwill.”

“Then—thankyou.”Shesmiledathimandmadeherwaybacktowardthe

city.



Eziowatchedhergoforamoment,thenmadehiswaytothelargewooden

buildingthatheldthecustomsoffices.Inside,therewasalongcounterand,

behindit,shelvescontainingalargenumberofpackagesandparcels.Nearthe

frontofoneofthelowershelvesclosesttothecounterhecouldseeawooden

maptubewithalabelattachedtoit:SOFIASARTOR.

“Perfetto,”hesaidtohimself.

“MayIhelpyou,”saidaportlyofficial,cominguptohim.

“Yes,ifyouplease.I’vecometocollectthatpackageoverthere.”Hepointed.

Theclerklookedacross.“Well,I’mafraidthat’soutofthequestion!Allthose

parcelsandpackageshavebeenimpoundedpendingpaperworkclearance.”

“Andhowlongwillthattake?”

“Iwouldn’tliketosay.”

“Hours?”

Theclerkpursedhislips.

“Days?”

“Thatalldepends.Ofcourse,foraconsideration...somethingmightbe

arranged...”

“Tohellwiththat!”

Theclerkbecamelessfriendly.“Areyoutryingtoimpedemeinmyduties?”

hebarked.“Getoutoftheway,oldman!Anddon’tcomebackifyouknow

what’sgoodforyou!”

Ezioswepthimasideandboundedoverthecounter.Heseizedthewooden

maptubeandturnedtoleave.Buttheclerkwasfranticallyblowingawhistle,

andseveralofhiscolleagues,someofthemmembersoftheheavilyarmed

dockyardguard,respondedinstantly.

“Thatman!”yelpedtheclerk.“Hetriedtobribeme,andwhenthatfailed,he

resortedtoviolence!”

Eziotookastandonthecounterasthecustomsmensurgedforwardtograb

him.Swingingtheweightywoodenmaptuberound,hecrackedafewskulls

withitandleaptovertheheadsoftherestofthem,runningtowardtheexitand

leavingconfusioninhiswake.

“That’stheonlywaytodealwithpettyofficialdom,”hesaidtohimself,

contentedly.Hehaddisappearedintothetwistinglabyrinthofstreetsnorthofthe

docksbeforehispursuershadhadtimetocollectthemselves.WithoutSofia’s

papers,whichhestillhadsafelystowedinhistunic,they’dneverbeabletotrace

her.

THIRTY-THREE

Towardnoon,heenteredthebookshopwestofHaghiaSofia.

Shelookedupashecamein.Theshelveswerefarmoreorderlynowthan

theyhadbeenwhenhe’dfirstvisited.Inthebackroom,hecouldseeher

worktable,withhismapfromthecisternsneatlylaidoutalongsideanumberof

thickbooksofreference.

“Salute,Ezio,”shesaid.“ThatwasalotquickerthanIexpected.Anyluck?”

Ezioheldupthewoodenmaptubeandreadfromthelabel:“Madamigella

SofiaSartor,libraia,Costantinopoli.Isthatyou?”

Hehandedherthetubewithasmile.Shetookitgladly,thenexaminedit

closely,herfaceturningsour.“Oh,no!Lookatthedamage!Didtheyusethisto

fightoffpirates,doyousuppose?”

Ezioshrugged,alittlesheepishly.Sofiaopenedthetubeandwithdrewthe

mapwithin.Sheinspectedit.“Well,sofar,sogood.”

Takingitovertoatable,shespreaditoutcarefully.Itwasacopyofamapof

theworld.

“Isn’titbeautiful?”shesaid.

“Indeed.”Eziostoodnexttoher,andtheybothporedoverit.

“It’saprintofamapbyMartinWaldseemüller.It’sstillquitenew—heonly

publishedfouryearsago.Andlook—hereontheleft!ThenewlandsNavigatore

Vespuccidiscoveredandwroteaboutonlyfourorfiveyearsbeforethemapwas

drawn.”

“Theyworkfast,theseGermans,”saidEzio.“Iseehe’snamedthenewlands

afterVespucci’sChristianname—Amerigo.”

“America!”

“Yes...PoorCristoforoColombo.Historyhasastrangewayofunfolding.”

“Whatdoyoumakeofthisbodyofwater—here?”Shepointedtotheoceans

onthefarsideofNorthandSouthAmerica.Ezioleanedforwardtolook.

“Anewocean,perhaps?MostofthescholarsIknowclaimthesizeofthe

globehasbeenunderestimated.”

Sofiasoundedwistful.“It’sincredible.Themorewelearnabouttheworld,the

lessweseemtoknow.”

Quitetakenwiththethought,theybothfellsilentforamoment.Ezio

consideredthenewcenturytheywerein—thesixteenth.Andonlynearits

beginning.Whatwouldunfoldduringit,hecouldonlyguess;andheknewthat,

athisage,hewouldnotseeverymuchmoreofit.

Morediscoveries,andmorewars,nodoubt.Butessentiallythesameplay

repeatingitself—andthesameactors,onlywithdifferentcostumesanddifferent

propsforeachgenerationthatswallowsupthelast,eachthinkingthatitwould

betheonetodobetter.

“Well,youhonoredyourpromise,”saidSofia.“Andhereisminefulfilled.”

Sheledthewaytotheinnerroomandpickedapieceofpaperupfromthe

table.“IfIamcorrect,thisshouldshowyouthelocationofthefirstbook.”

Eziotookthepaperfromherandreadwhatwasonit.

“Imustadmit,”Sofiawenton,“myheadisswimmingattheprospectof

actuallyseeingthesebooks.Theycontainknowledgetheworldhaslostand

shouldhaveagain.”Shesatatthetableandcuppedherchininherhands,

daydreaming.“PerhapsIcouldhaveafewcopiesprintedtodistributemyself.A

smallrunoffiftyorso...Thatshouldbeenough...”

Eziosmiled,thenlaughed.

“What’stheretolaughabout?”

“Forgiveme.Itisajoytoseesomeonewithapassionsopersonalandso

noble.Itis...inspiring.”

“Goodness,”shereplied,alittleembarrassed.“Whereisthiscomingfrom?”

Ezioheldupthepieceofpaper.“Iintendtogoandinvestigatethis

immediately,”hesaid.“Grazie,Sofia—Iwillreturnsoon.”

“I’lllookforwardtothat,”shereplied,watchinghimgowithamixtureof

puzzlementandconcern.

Whatamysteriousman,shethought,asthedoorclosedafterhim,andshe

returnedtotheWaldseemüllermap,andherowndreamsofthefuture.

THIRTY-FOUR

Sofia’scalculationshadbeencorrect.Hiddenbehindawoodenpanelinanold,

desertedbuildingintheConstantineDistrictofthecity,Eziofoundthebookhe

waslookingfor.

Itwasanancientbutwell-preservedcopyofOnNature,thepoemwrittenover

twothousandyearsearlierbytheGreekphilosopherEmpedocles,outliningthe

sumofhisthoughts.

Ezioliftedthebookfromitshidingplaceandblewthedustfromthesmall

volume.Thenheopenedittoablankpageatitsfront.

Ashewatched,thepagebegantoglow,andwithintheglow,amapof

Constantinoplerevealeditself.Ashelookedcloser,andconcentrated,he

discernedapinpointonthemap.ItshowedtheMaidenTower,thelighthouseon

thefarsideoftheBosphorus,and,asEziopeeredcloserstill,aprecisespot

there,withinthecellarsbuiltintoitsfoundations.

Ifallwentwell,thiswouldbethelocationofthesecondkeytoAltaïr’slibrary

atMasyaf.

HemadehiswayinhastethroughtheteemingcitytotheMaidenTower.

SlippingpasttheOttomanguardsandcrossingoverina“borrowed”boat,he

foundadoorwayfromwhichstepsleddownwardintothecellars.Heheldthe

bookinhishandandfoundthatitwasguidinghim.Guidinghimthroughamaze

ofcorridorslinedwithinnumerabledoorways.Itdidn’tseempossiblethatthere

couldbesomanyinsucharelativelyconfinedspace.Butatlasthecametoa

door,identicaltoalltheothersbutthroughwhosecracksafaintlightseemedto

emanate.Thedooropenedathistouch,andthere,onalowstoneplinthbefore

him,acircularstonehadbeenplaced,slimasadiscusand,likethefirsthehad

discovered,coveredwithstrangesymbols,asmysteriousasthefirstset,but

different.Theformofawoman—agoddess,perhaps—wholookedvaguely

familiar,indentationsthatmighteitherhavebeenformulae,orpossiblynotches

thatmightslotintopegs—maybepegswithinthekeyholesinthelibrarydoorat

Masyaf.

AsEziotookthekeyinhishands,thelightcomingfromitgrew,andgrew,

andhebracedhimselftobetransported—heknewnotwhere—asitengulfed

him,andwhirledhimbackdowncenturies.Down320years.TotheyearofOur

Lord1191.

Masyaf.

Withinthefortress,atimelongago.

Figuresinaswirlingmist.Emergingfromit,ayoungmanandanold.

Evidenceofafight,whichtheoldman—AlMualim—hadlost.

Helayontheground;theyoungmankneltastridehim.

Hishand,losingitsstrength,letgoofsomething,whichrolledfromhisgrasp

andcametorestonthemarblefloor.



Eziodrewinabreathasherecognizedtheobject—itwas—surely—theApple

ofEden.Buthow?

Andtheyoungman—thevictor—inwhite,hiscowldrawnoverhishead.

Altaïr.



“Youheldfireinyourhand,oldman,”hewassaying.“Itshouldhavebeen

destroyed.”

“Destroyed?”laughedAlMualim.“Theonlythingcapableofendingthe

Crusadesandcreatingtruepeace?Never.”

“ThenIwilldestroyit.”



Theimagesfaded,dissolved,likeghosts,onlyforanotherscenetoreplace

them.

WithintheGreatKeepatMasyaf,Altaïrstoodalonewithoneofhiscaptains.

Nearthem,laidoutinhonoronastonebier,wasthebodyofAlMualim,

peacefulindeath.

“Isittrulyover?”theAssassincaptainwassaying.“Isthatsorcererdead?”

Altaïrturnedtolookatthebody.Hespokecalmly,levelly.“Hewasno

sorcerer.Justanordinaryman,incommandof—illusions.”

Heturnedbacktohiscomrade.“Haveyoupreparedthepyre?”

“Ihave.”Themanhesitated.“But,Altaïr,someofthemen...theywillnot

standforsuchathing.Theyarerestive.”

Altaïrbentoverthebier.Hestoopedandtooktheoldman’sbodyinhisarms.

“Letmehandleit.”

Hestooderect,hisrobesflowingabouthim.“Areyoufittotravel?”heasked

thecaptain.

“Wellenough,yes.”

“IhaveaskedMalikAl-SayftoridetoJerusalemwiththenewsofAl

Mualim’sdeath.WillyouridetoAcreanddothesame?”

“Ofcourse.”

“Thengo,andGodbewithyou.”

Thecaptaininclinedhisheadanddeparted.

BearingthedeadMentor’sbodyinhisarms,hissuccessorstrodeoutto

confronthisfellowmembersoftheBrotherhood.

Athisappearance,therewasanimmediatebabelofvoices,reflectingthe

bewildermentintheirminds.Someaskedthemselvesiftheyweredreaming.

OtherswereaghastatthisphysicalconfirmationofAlMualim’spassing.

“Altaïr!Explainyourself!”

“Howdiditcometothis?”

“Whathashappened?”

OneAssassinshookhishead.“Mymindwasclear,butmybody...itwould

notmove!”

Inthemidstoftheconfusion,Abbasappeared.Abbas.Altaïr’schildhood

friend.Now,thatfriendshipwasfarlesssure.Toomuchhadhappenedbetween

them.

“Whathashappenedhere?”askedAbbas,hisvoicereflectinghisshock.

“OurMentorhasdeceivedusall,”Altaïrreplied.“TheTemplarscorrupted

him.”

“Whereisyourproofofthat?”Abbasresponded,suspiciously.

“Walkwithme,Abbas;andIwillexplain.”

“AndifIfindyouranswerswanting?”

“ThenIwilltalkuntilyouaresatisfied.”

Theymadetheirway,AltaïrstillbearingAlMualim’sbodyinhisarms,

towardthefuneralpyrethathadbeenpreparedforit.Besidehim,Abbas,

unawareoftheirdestination,remainedtesty,tense,andcombative,unableto

disguisehismistrustofAltaïr.

AndAltaïrknewwithwhatreasonandregrettedit.Buthewoulddohisbest.

“Doyouremember,Abbas,theartifactwerecoveredfromtheTemplarRobert

deSable,inSolomon’sTemple?”

“Youmeantheartifactyouweresenttoretrievebutothersactually

delivered?”

Altaïrletthatgo.“Yes.ItisaTemplartool.ItiscalledtheAppleofEden.

Amongmanyotherpowers,itcanconjureillusionsandcontrolthemindsofmen

—andofthemanwhothinkshecontrolsit.Adeadlyweapon.”

Abbasshrugged.“Thenbetter,surely,thatwehaveitthantheTemplars.”

Altaïrshookhishead.“Thatmakesnodifference.Itseemstocorruptallwho

wieldit.”

“AndyoubelievethatAlMualimfellunderitsspell?”

Altaïrmadeagestureofimpatience.“Ido.Today,heusedtheAppleinan

attempttoenslaveMasyaf.Yousawthatforyourself.”

Abbaslookeddoubtful.“IdonotknowwhatIsaw.”

“Listen,Abbas.TheAppleissafeinAlMualim’sstudy.WhenIamfinished

here,IwillshowyouallIknow.”



Theyhadarrivedatthepyre,andAltaïrascendedthestepstoit,placingthebody

ofhislateMentorreverentlyatitstop.Ashedidso,Abbaslookedaghast.Itwas

hisfirstsightofthepyre.

“Icannotbelieveyoureallyintendtogothroughwiththis!”hesaidina

shockedvoice.Behindhim,theassembledBrotherhoodoftheAssassinsrippled

likecorninabreeze.

“ImustdowhatImustdo,”Altaïrreplied.

“No!”

ButAltaïrhadalreadytakenoneofthetorchesthatstoodreadylitbythepyre

andthrustitintothebaseofthewoodpile.“Imustknowthathecannotreturn.”

“Butthisisnotourway!Toburnaman’sbodyisforbidden!”

Avoicefromthecrowdbehindhimcriedoutsuddenly,inrage:“Defiler!”

Altaïrturnedtofacetherestivecrowdbelowhim.“Hearmeout!Thiscorpse

couldbejustanotheroneofAlMualim’sphantombodies.Imustbecertain!”

“Lies!”Abbasyelled.Astheflamestookholdonthepyre,hesteppedinclose

toAltaïr’sside,raisinghisvoicesoallcouldhearhim.“Allyourlifeyouhave

madeamockeryofourCreed!Youbendtherulestosuityourwhimswhile

belittlingandhumiliatingthosearoundyou!”

“RestrainAltaïr!”yelledanAssassininthecrowd.

“Didyounothearwhathesaid?”acomradenexttohimresponded.“Al

Mualimwasbewitched!”

ThefirstAssassin’sreplywastoflyoutwithhisfists.Ageneralfightensued,

whichescalatedasrapidlyastheflamesrose.

OntheledgenexttoAltaïr,Abbaspushedhimviolentlydownfromit,intothe

midstofthemelee.

AsAbbasthenmadehiswayfuriouslybacktothecastle,Altaïrstruggledto

findhisfeetamonghisclashingfellowAssassins,standingwiththeirswords

drawn.“Brothers!”heshouted,strivingtorestoreorder.“Stop!Stayyour

blades!”

Butthefightcontinued,andAltaïr,whohadjustrisentohisfeetintimetosee

Abbasreturningtothefortress,wasforcedtostruggleamonghisownmen,

disarmingthemwherehecouldandexhortingthemtodesist.Hedidnotknow

forhowlonghebattled,butthestrifewassuddenlyinterruptedbyasearingflash

oflight,whichcausedthecombatantstostaggerback,shieldingtheireyes.

Thelightcamefromthedirectionofthecastle.

Altaïr’sworstfearswererealized.

There,ontheparapetofatalltower,stoodAbbas,andtheApplewasinhis

hand.

“WhatdidItellyou,Altaïr?”Abbasyelleddowntohim.

“Abbas!Stop!”

“WhatdidyouthinkwouldhappenwhenyoumurderedourbelovedMentor?”

“YoulovedAlMualimlessthananyone!Youblamedhimforallyour

misfortune,evenyourfather’ssuicide!”

“Myfatherwasahero!”Abbasscreameddefiantly.

AltaïrignoredhimandturnedhastilytotheAssassinsgroupedquestioningly

aroundhim.

“Listen!”hetoldthem.“Thisisnotthetimetoquarreloverwhat’sbeendone.

Wemustdecide—now!—whatistobedonewiththatweapon!”Hepointedto

whereAbbaswasstanding,holdingtheApplealoft.

“Whateverthisartifactiscapableof,Altaïr,”hecried,“youarenotworthyto

wieldit!”

“Nomanis!”Altaïrhurledback.

ButAbbaswasalreadystaringintotheApple’sglow.Thelight,ashelooked,

intensified.Abbasseemedentranced.“Itisbeautiful,isitnot?”hesaid,onlyjust

loudlyenoughtobeheard.

Thenachangecameoverhim.Hisexpressionwastransformedfromasmile

ofamusedtriumphtoagrimaceofhorror.Hebegantoshake,violently,asthe

poweroftheApplesweptintohim,takinghimover.Assassinsstillsympathetic

tohimwererunningtohisaidwhentheunearthlyinstrumenthestillheldinhis

handthrewoutanall-but-visiblepulsewave,whichthrewthemsavagelytotheir

kneesastheyclutchedtheirheadsinagony.

AltaïrracedtowardAbbas,scalingthetowerwithsupernaturalspeed,driven

bydesperation.Ihavetogetthereintime!Asheapproachedhisformerfriend,

Abbasbegantoscreamasifhisverysoulwasbeingrippedoutofhim.Altaïr

madeonefinalleapforward,disablinghisformerfriendandknockinghim

down.Abbascrumpledtothegroundwithadespairingcry,astheApple

tumbledfromhisgrasp,sendingafinalviolentshockwaveoutfromthetoweras

itdidso.



Thentherewassilence.

TheAssassinsspreadoutbelowgraduallypulledthemselvestogetherandgot

totheirfeet.Theylookedatoneanotherinwonderment.Whathadhappened

continuedtoresoundintheirbodiesandtheirminds.Theylookeduptothe

ramparts.NeitherAltaïrnorAbbaswasvisible.

“Whatwasthat?”

“Aretheydead?”

AndthenAltaïrappearedaloneontheparapetofthetower.Thewindblewhis

whiterobesabouthim.Heraisedhishand.Init,secure,wastheApple.It

crackledandpulsatedlikealivingthing,butitwasunderhiscontrol.

“Forgiveme...”Abbaswasgaspingfromtheflagstonefloorbehindhim.He

couldbarelyformthewords.“Ididnotknow...”

AltaïrturnedhisgazebackfromthemantotheApple,restinginhishand.It

sentcurioussensations,likeshocks,thelengthofhisextendedarm.

“Haveyouanythingtoteachus?”saidAltaïr,addressingtheAppleasifit

wereasensatething.“Orwillyouleadusalltoruin?”

Thewindthenseemedtoblowupaduststorm—orwasitthereturnofthe

swirlingfumesofcloudthathadheraldedthevision?Withitcametheblinding

lightthathadprecededit,growingandgrowing,untilallelsewasblottedout.

Andthenitdimmedoncemore,untiltherewasjustthegentleglowofthekeyin

Ezio’shand.

Exhausted,Ezioloweredhimselftothefloorandrestedhisbackagainstthe

stonewallofthechamber.Outside,duskwouldbefalling.Helongedforrestbut

couldaffordnone.

Afteralongmoment,heraisedhimselfagainand,carefullystowingboththe

keyandthecopyofEmpedoclesinhissatchel,madehiswaytothestreets

above.

THIRTY-FIVE

Atdawnthenextday,EziomadehiswaytotheGrandBazaar.Itwastimehe

sawforhimselfwhattalktheremightbeamongtheJanissaries,andhewas

impatienttobeonthetrailoftheircaptain,TarikBarleti.

Butitwasimpossible,oncethere,entirelytoavoidtheimportunatetraders,

whowereallpastmastersofthehardsell.AndEziohadtopasshimselfoffas

justanothertouristforfearofarousingsuspicion,eitheramongOttoman

officialsorByzantineTemplars.

“Youseethisrug!”Amerchantaccostedhim,pluckingathissleeveand,as

Eziohadfoundtobethecasesooftenthere,gettingtooclosetohim,invading

hisbodyspace.“Yourfeetwillloveyoumorethanyourwifedoes!”

“Iamnotmarried.”

“Ah,”continuedthemerchant,seamlessly,“youarebetteroff.Come!Justfeel

it!”

EzionoticedagroupofJanissariesstandingnotfaraway.“Youhavesoldwell

today?”heaskedthemerchant.

Themanspreadhishands,noddingtohisrightattheJanissaries.“Ihavenot

soldathing!TheJanissariesconfiscatedmostofmystockjustbecauseitwas

imported.”

“DoyouknowTarikBarleti,theircaptain?”

“Eh,he’saroundheresomewhere,nodoubt.Anarrogantman,but—”The

merchantwasabouttogoonbutinterruptedhimself,freezingupbefore

revertingtohissalespatter,hiseyesfocusednotonEziobutwellbeyondhim.

“Youinsultme,sir!Icannottakelessthantwohundredakçeforthis!Thatismy

finaloffer.”

Ezioturnedslightlyandfollowedtheman’sgaze.ThreeJanissarieswere

approaching,notfiftyfeetaway.

“WhenIfindhim,Iwillaskhimaboutyourrugs,”Eziopromisedthe

merchantquietlyasheturnedtogo.

“Youdriveahardbargain,stranger!”themerchantcalledafterhim.“Shallwe

compromiseatone-eighty?Onehundredeightyakçe,andwepartasfriends!”

ButEziowasnolongerlistening.Hewasfollowingthegroup,shadowing

thematasafedistance,hopingtheymightleadhimtoTarikBarleti.Theywere

notwalkingidly—theyhadthelookofmengoingtosomekindofappointment.

Buthehadtobevigilant—notonlytokeephisquarryinsightbuttoavoid

detectionhimself,andthecrowdedlanesofthesoukbothhelpedandhindered

himinhistask.Themerchanthadsaidthecaptainwouldbesomewhereinthe

Bazaar,buttheBazaarwasabigplace—aconfusinglabyrinthofstallsand

shops,asmallcityinitself.

Butatlengthhispatiencepaidoff,andthemenhewasfollowingarrivedata

crossroadsinthelaneswhichbroadenedoutintoalittlesquarewithacoffee

shoponeachcorner.Infrontofonestoodthebigcaptainwiththegrizzled

beard.Thebeardwasasmuchamarkofhisrankashisresplendentuniform.He

wasclearlynoslave.

Eziocreptascloseashecould,tohearwhatwasbeingsaid.

“Areyouready?”heaskedhismen,andtheynoddedtheirassent.“Thisisan

importantmeeting.MakesureIamnotbeingfollowed.”

Theynoddedagainandsplitup,disappearingintotheBazaarindifferent

directions.EzioknewtheywouldbelookingforanysignofanAssassininthe

crowds,andforoneheartstoppingmomentoneofthesoldiersseemedtocatch

hiseye,butthenthemomentpassed,andthemanwasgone.Waitingaslongas

hedared,hesetoffinpursuitofthecaptain.

Barletihadn’tgonefarbeforehecametoanotherJanissary,alieutenant,who

tothecasualeyewouldhavejustseemedtobewindow-shoppinginfrontofan

armorer’sestablishment.EziohadalreadynoticedthatJanissariesweretheonly

peoplenottobebadgeredbythetraders.

“Whatnews?”Barletisaidashedrewlevelwiththesoldier.

“Manuelhasagreedtomeetyou,Tarik.He’swaitingbytheArsenalGate.”

Ezioprickeduphisearsatthename.

“Aneageroldweasel,isn’the?”Tariksaidflatly.“Come.”

Theysetoff,outoftheBazaar,andintothecitystreets.Itwasalongwayto

theArsenal,whichwassituatedonthenorthsideoftheGoldenHorn,fartherto

thewest,buttheyshowednosignoftakinganykindoftransportyet,andEzio

followedthemonfoot.Amatterofacoupleofmiles—andhewouldhavetobe

carefulwhentheytooktheferryacrosstheHorn.Buthistaskwasmadeeasier

bythefactthatthetwomenwereengrossedinconversation,mostofwhichEzio

managedtocatch.Itwasnothardtoblendin,inthestreetsofConstantinople,

crowdedwithpeoplefromalloverEuropeandAsia.

“HowdidManuellook?Washenervous?Orcagey?”Tarikasked.

“Hewashisusualself.Impatientanddiscourteous.”

“Hmn.Isupposehehasearnedthatright.Havetherebeendispatchesfromthe

sultan?”

“Thelastnewswasaweekago.Bayezid’sletterwasshortandfullofsad

tidings.”

Tarikshookhishead.“Icouldnotimaginebeingatsuchoddswithmyown

son.”

THIRTY-SIX

EziofollowedthetwoJanissariestoabuildingclosebytheArsenalGate.

WaitingforTarikandhislieutenantwasalarge,plump,expensivelydressedman

inhislatefifties,sportingafullgreybeardandwaxedmustaches.Hisfeathered

turbanwasencrustedwithjewels,andtherewasajeweledringoneachofhis

pudgyfingers.Hiscompanionwasthinner,sparelybuilt,and,tojudgefromhis

dress,hailedfromTurkmenistan.

Ezio,havingselectedasuitableplacetomakehimselfinvisible,hiding

discreetlyamongtheheavybranchesofatamarindtreethatgrewcloseby,paid

closeattentionaspreliminarygreetingswereexchangedandlearnedthatthe

plumpdandywas—ashe’dsuspected—ManuelPalaiologos.Givenwhathe’d

heardfromYusufaboutManuel’sambitions,thismeetingwouldbean

interestingonetolisteninon.Palaiologos’scompanion,alsohisbodyguard,as

becameapparentastheintroductionsweremade,wentbythenameofShahkulu.

Eziohadheardofhim.ShahkuluwasarebelagainsttheOttomanrulersofhis

country,andtherumorswerethathewasfomentingrevolutionamonghis

people.Buthealsohadareputationforextremecrueltyandbanditry.

Yes,thismeetingwouldindeedbeinteresting.

Oncetheniceties—alwayselaborate,inthiscountry,Eziohadnoticed—had

beendealtwith,ManuelgesturedtoShahkulu,whoenteredthebuildingbehind

them—akindofguardpost,nowevidentlydeserted—andfromitbroughta

smallbutheavywoodenchest,whichheplacedatTarik’sfeet.TheJanissary

lieutenantopeneditandbegancountingthegoldcoinswithwhichitwasfilled.

“Youmayverifytheamount,Tarik,”Manuelsaidinavoiceasplummyashis

body,“butthemoneystayswithmeuntilIhaveseenthecargoformyselfand

ascertaineditsquality.”

Tarikgrunted.“Understood.Youareashrewdman,Manuel.”

“Trustwithoutcynicismishollow,”intonedPalaiologos,unctuously.

TheJanissaryhadbeencountingfast.Soonafterward,heclosedthechest.

“Thecountisgood,Tarik,”hesaid.“It’sallhere.”

“So,”saidManueltoTarik.“Whatnow?”

“YouwillhaveaccesstotheArsenal.Whenyouaresatisfied,thecargowill

bedeliveredtoalocationofyourchoosing.”

“Areyourmenpreparedtotravel?”

“Notaproblem.”

“Poikalà.”TheByzantineprincelingrelaxedalittle.“Verygood.Iwillhave

amapdrawnupforyouwithinaweek.”

Theypartedcompanythen,andEziowaiteduntilthecoastwasclearbeforehe

climbeddownfromthetreeandmadehiswaywithallpossiblehastetothe

Assassins’headquarters.

THIRTY-SEVEN

ItwasduskwhenEzioreturnedtotheArsenalandfoundYusufalreadythere

waitingforhim.

“Oneofmymenclaimshesawashipmentofweaponsbroughtinhereearlier.

Sowegotcurious.”

Ezioponderedthis.Itwasashehadsuspected.“Weapons.”Hepaused.“I

wouldliketoseethemformyself.”

HescannedtheouterwallsoftheArsenal.Theywerewellguarded.Themain

gatelookedimpregnable.

“Shortofkillingeveryoneinsight,”Yusufsaid,followinghisMentor’s

thoughts,“I’mnotsurehowyouwillgetinside.”

Thesquarebehindthemwasstillteemingwithlife—peoplehurryinghome

afterwork,coffeebarsandrestaurantsopeningtheirdoors.Suddenly,their

attentionwasdrawntoanaltercationthathadbrokenoutnearthemaingatein

theArsenalwalls,betweenatraderandthreeJanissaries,whowereharassing

him.

“Youhavebeenwarnedtwice,”oneoftheJanissaries,asergeant,wassaying.

“NomerchantsneartheArsenalwalls!”Heturnedtohismen.“Takethisstuff

away!”

Theprivatesstartedtopickupthetrader’scratesoffruitandcarrythemaway.

“Hypocrites!”themangrumbled.“Ifyourmendidn’tbuymyproduce,I

wouldn’tbesellingithereinthefirstplace!”

Thesergeantignoredhim,andthesoldierswentonwiththeirwork,butthe

traderhadn’tfinished.Hewentrightuptothesergeant,andsaid,“Youareworse

thantheByzantines,youtraitor!”

Bywayofreply,theJanissarysergeantwhackedhimwithahardfist.He

collapsed,groaning,holdinghisbleedingnose.

“Holdyourtongue,parasite!”growledthesergeant.

Heturnedawaytosupervisethecontinuingconfiscationofthefruit,whilea

womanfromthecrowdrusheduptohelptheinjuredtrader.YusufandEzio

watchedasshehelpedhimtohisfeet,staunchingthebloodfromhisfacewitha

handkerchief.

“Evenintimesofpeace,”saidYusufgrimly,“thepoorarealwaysunder

siege.”

Eziowasthoughtful,thinkingofsimilarcircumstancesinRomenotsolong

ago.“Perhapsifweinspirethemtoventtheiranger,thatwillhelpourcause.”

Yusuflookedathim.“Youmean—recruitthesepeople?Incitethemtorebel?”

“Itneedonlybeademonstration.But,withenoughofthemonourside...”

ThetwomenwatchedastheJanissaries,unimpeded,proceededtocarryoff

whatwasleftoftheman’sstock,leavinghisstallcompletelybare.They

disappearedthroughawicketinthemaingate.

“Feigningsolidaritytopushyourownagenda,”saidYusufwithahintof

contempt.“Whatagentleman!”

“It’snotpretty,Iknow.Butitwillwork,believeme.”

“Whateverworks.”Yusufshrugged.“AndIseenootherwayofeffectinga

break-inhere.”

“Come—there’sabigcrowdhere,anditlooksasifthattraderispretty

popular.Let’sgoanddosomecanvassingamongthepeople.”

Forthenexthalfhourandmore,EzioandYusufworkedthecrowd,hinting

andpersuading,cajolingandinspiringtheordinaryworkingpeoplearoundthem,

whomtheyfoundtobeveryopentotheideaofputtinganendtotheir

oppression.Alltheyhadneeded,itseemed,wassomeonetofirethemup.Oncea

sufficientnumberhadgatheredintoamob,Ezioaddressedthem.Thefruittrader

stoodbyhisside,defiantnow.Yusufhadseentoitthatmostofthemenand

womenhadarmedthemselvesinonewayandanother.Thefruittraderhelda

largecurvedpruningknife.

“Fightwithus,brothers,”Eziodeclaimed.“Andavengethisinjustice.The

Janissariesarenotabovethelaw!Let’sshowthemwewon’tstandfortheir

tyranny.”

“Yes!”severalvoicesroared.

“Itmakesmesicktoseethekindofabusetheyhandout,”Eziocontinued.

“Doesn’tityou?”

“Yes!”

“Willyoufightwithus?”

“Yes!”

“Then—let’sgo!”



Bythen,adetachmentofarmedJanissarieshadissuedforthfromtheArsenal

Gate,whichwasfirmlyclosedbehindthem.Theytookuppositionsinfrontofit,

swordsdrawn,andfacedthemob,whosemoodhadreachedtheboilingpoint.

Undauntedbythesoldiers’showofstrength—indeed,incensedbyit—the

crowd,whosevolumegrewbytheminute,surgedforwardtowardthegate.

WheneveraJanissarywasrashenoughtoclosewithpeopleinthefrontrank,he

wasovercomebythesheerweightofnumbersandeitherhurledasideorcrushed

underadvancingfeet.Soonafterward,thecrowdwasmillingaboutatthegate

itself,withEzioandYusufkeepingjustenoughcommandtodirecttheir

improvisedstrikeforcetobatteritopen.

“DownwiththeJanissaries!”shoutedahundredvoices.

“Youarenotabovethelaw!”yelledahundredmore.

“Openthegate,youcoward,beforewetearitdown!”

“Thatgatewon’tstayclosedforlong,”saidEziotoYusuf.

“Thepeoplearedoingyouafavor,Mentor.Returnitandkeepthemsafefrom

harm.”

AsYusufspoke,twodetachmentsofJanissaryreinforcementsboredownon

thecrowdfromrightandleft,havingemergedfromsidegatesinthenorthand

southwalls.

“Thiscallsforclose-quartersfighting,”Eziosaid,as,accompaniedbyYusuf,

heunleashedhishookbladeandhishidden-blade,andthrewhimselfintothe

fray.

EncouragedbytheprofessionalskillsofthetwoAssassins,themenand

womenoneachflankofthecrowdturnedbravelytofacetheJanissary

counterattack.AsfortheJanissaries,theyweretakenabacktoencountersuch

firmresistancefromsuchanunexpectedquarter,andtheyhesitated—fatally—

andwererepulsed.Inthemeantime,thoseworkingonthegatewererewardedto

seethefirmplanksofitsdoorsfirstgroan,thengive,thenbuckle,thencrumble.

Withamightycrack,themaincrossbeamholdingthegateshutfromwithin

snappedlikematchwood,andthegatefellback,itsdoorshangingdrunkenly

fromtheirmassiveironhinges.

Thecrowdroaredwithonevoice,likeagreattriumphantbeast,andasthey

pouredintotheArsenal,individualvoicescouldbeheardraisedabovetherest:

“Pushthrough!”

“We’reinside!”

“Justiceordeath!”

ThedefendingJanissarieswithinwerepowerlesstopreventtheonrushbut,

withtheirgreaterdiscipline,managedtoholditincheckasferociousfighting

brokeoutintheArsenal’smainquadrangle.Throughitall,Ezioslippedlikea

wraith,intotheinnerconfinesofthefortress-likeedifice.

THIRTY-EIGHT

Farfromtheshatteredgate,deepwithinthewesternsectoroftheArsenal,Ezio

cameatlasttotheplacehewaslookingfor.Itwasquietthere,formostofthe

fightingmenintheArsenalgarrisonwereengagedinthequadrangle,andthe

handfulofguardshedidencounter,ifhecouldnotslippastthemunnoticed,he

swiftlydispatched.Hewouldhavetosharpenhishookbladeoncehisworkthere

wasdone.

Hemadehiswaydownalongstonecorridor,sonarrowthatnoonecould

enterthechamberatitsendwithanyhopeofsurprisingthosewithin.Ezio

approachedslowly,soft-footed,untilhecametoanironladderfixedtothewall

nearthechamber’sentrance,whichledtoagalleryoverlookingit.Strappinghis

swordscabbardtohislegsothatitwouldnotclatter,heclimbedup,swiftly,and

withaslittlenoiseasaflowermakeswhenitopens.Fromhisvantagepoint,he

staredgrimlyatthescenetakingplacebelowhim.

ManuelandShahkulustoodinthemiddleofthechamber,surroundedbya

jumbleoflargecrates,someofthemopen.AsmallJanissaryguardunitstoodat

attentionjustinsidethedoor.IfEziohadtriedtoenter,hewouldhavefallen

victimtoanambush.Softly,hebreathedasighofrelief.Hisinstinctsand

experiencehadsavedhim,thistime.

Manuelpausedinhisexaminationofthecontentsofthecrates.Theangleof

visionavailabletoEziodidnotallowhimtoseewhattheywere,thoughhe

couldguess.

“Twentyyearsinthiscity,livinglikeacipher,”Manuelwassaying.“And

now,atlast,everythingisfallingintoplace.”

Shahkulureplied,anoteofmenaceinhisvoice:“WhenthePalaiologoslineis

restored,Manuel,donotforgetwhoitwasthathelpedyoubringitback.”

Manuellookedathimkeenly,smalleyesglitteringcoldlyamidthefoldsof

flesh.“Ofcoursenot,myfriend!Iwouldnotdreamofbetrayingamanofyour

influence.Butyoumustbepatient.NovaRomawasnotbuiltinaday!”

Shahkulugruntednoncommittally,andManuelturnedtothecaptainofhis

escort.“Iamsatisfied.Takemetomyship.”

“Followme.Thereisapassagetothewestgatebywhichwecanavoidthe

fighting,”saidthecaptain.

“Ihopeandexpectyouwillsoonhavethatundercontrol.”

“Aswespeak,Prince.”

“Ifonesingleitemhereisdamaged,themoneystayswithme.TellTarikthat.”



Eziowatchedthemgo.Whenhewassatisfiedthathewasalone,hedescendedto

thechamberandmadeaquickinspectionofthecrates,liftingthelidofonethat

hadbeenunsealed.

Rifles.Onehundredormore.

“Merda!”Eziobreathed.

Histhoughtswereinterruptedbyabrazenclang—surelythewestgate

bangingshutafterManuel’sdeparture.Immediatelyafterward,thesoundof

bootsonstoneapproaching.TheJanissarieswouldbereturningtoresealthe

openedcrates.Eziopressedhimselfagainstthewall,and,asthesoldiersentered,

cutthemdown.Fiveofthem.Ifthey’dbeenabletoentertogether,insteadofone

atatime,thestorymighthavebeendifferent.Butthenarrowcorridorhadturned

outtobehisfriend.

Hepassedbackthewayhehadcome.Inthequadrangle,thebattlewasover,

leavingtheusualvileaftermathofcombat.Eziowalkedslowlypastaseaof

bodies,mostlystill,somewrithingintheirlastagonies,whiletheonlysound

wasthekeeningofwomenastheykneltbythefallen,inthepitilesswindthat

blewthroughtheyawninggateway.

Withhisheadbowed,Eziostrodefromtheplace.Thepricepaidforthe

knowledgehehadgainedseemedveryhighindeed.

THIRTY-NINE

ItwashightimetoreturntoSofia’sbookshop.Hehurriedtherestraightaway.

Theshopwasstillopen,andlightswithinburnedbrightly.WhenshesawEzio

enter,Sofiatookoffhereyeglassesandgotupfromtheworktableintheinner

room,wherethemaphe’ddiscoveredinYerebatanwasspreadout,amidseveral

openbooks.

“Salute.”Shegreetedhim.Closingthedoorbehindhimandpullingdownthe

blinds.“TimeIclosedfortheday.Twocustomersallafternoon.Iaskyou.It’s

notworthstayingopenfortheeveningtrade.”Thenshesawtheexpressionon

Ezio’sfaceandledhimtoachair,wherehesat,heavily,asshefetchedhima

glassofwine.

“Grazie,”hesaidgratefully,gladshedidn’tstartaskingquestions.

Instead,shesaid,“I’mclosinginontwomorebooks—onenearTokapiSaray,

andtheotherintheBayezidDistrict.”

“Let’strytheBayezidfirst.TheTopkapiwillbeadeadend.Itwastherethat

theTemplarsdiscoveredthekeytheyhave.”

“Ah—sì.Theymusthavefounditbychance,orbyothermeansthanours.”

“TheyhadNiccolò’sbook.”

“ThenwemustthanktheMotherofGodthatyourescueditfromthembefore

theycoulduseitfurther.”

Shereturnedtothemap,seatedherselfbeforeit,andresumedwriting.Ezio

leanedforwardand,producingthecopyofEmpedocles,placeditonthetableby

her.Thesecondkeythathehadfoundhadalreadyjoinedthefirst,undersecure

guard,attheAssassins’headquartersinGalata.

“Whatdoyoumakeofthis?”hesaid.

Shepickeditupcarefully,turningitoverreverentlyinherhands.Herhands

weredelicatebutnotbony,andthefingerswerelongandslender.

Herjawhaddroppedinwonder.“Oh,Ezio!Èincredibile!”

“Worthsomething?”

“AcopyofOnNatureinthiscondition?InitsoriginalCopticbinding?It’s

fantastic!”Sheopeneditcarefully.Thecodedmapwithinnolongerglowed.In

fact,Eziocouldseethatitwasnolongervisible.

“Amazing.Thismustbeathird-centurytranscriptionoftheoriginal,”Sofia

wassaying,enthusiastically.“Idon’tsupposethere’sanothercopylikethisin

existence.”

ButEzio’seyeswererestlesslyscanningtheroom.Somethinghadchanged,

andhecouldnotyetputhisfingeronwhatitwas.Atlast,hisgazecametorest

onaboarded-upwindow.Theglasswasgonefromitspanes.

“Sofia,”hesaid,concerned.“Whathappenedhere?”

Hervoicetookonaslightirritationthoughclearlyoverriddenbyher

excitement.“Oh,thathappensonceortwiceayear.Peopletrytobreakin,

thinkingtheywillfindmoney.”Shepaused.“Idonotkeepmuchhere,butthis

timetheysucceededandmadeoffwithaportraitofsomevalue.Nomorethan

threehoursago,whenIwasoutoftheshopforashorttime.”Shelookedsad.“A

verygoodportraitofme,asithappens.Ishallmissit,andnotjustforwhatitis

worth.I’mcertainlygoingtofindaverysafeplaceforthis,”sheadded,tapping

theEmpedocles.

Eziowasstillsuspiciousthattheremightbemorebehindthispaintingtheft

thanmettheeye.Heroamedthroughtheroom,lookingforanycluesitmight

affordhim.Thenhecametoadecision.Hewasrestedenoughforthemoment,

andheowedthiswomanafavor.Buttherewasmoretoitthanthat.Hewanted

todowhateverhecouldforher.

“Youkeepworking,”hesaid.“Iwillfindyourpaintingforyou.”

“Ezio,thethiefcouldbeanywherebynow.”

“Ifthethiefcameformoney,foundnone,andtooktheportraitinstead,he

shouldstillbeinthisdistrict,closeby,eagertogetridofit.”

Sofialookedthoughtful.“Thereareacoupleofstreetsnearherewherea

numberofartdealersdobusiness...”

Eziowasalreadyhalfwaytothedoor.

“Wait!”shecalledafterhim.“Ihavesomebusinessinthatdirection.I’llshow

youtheway.”

HewaitedasshelockedtheOnNaturecarefullyinanironcladchestbyone

wall,thenfollowedherasshelefttheshopandlockedthedoorfirmlybehind

her.

“Thisway,”shesaid.“Butwepartcompanyatthefirstturning.I’llpointyou

intherightdirectionfromthere.”

Theywalkedoninsilence.Afewdozenyardsdownthestreet,theycametoa

crossroads,andshehalted.

“Downthere,”shesaid,pointing.Thenshelookedathim.Therewas

somethinginhercleareyesthathehopedhewasn’timagining.

“Ifyouhappentofinditwithinthenextcoupleofhours,pleasecomeand

meetmebyValens’Aqueduct,”shesaid.“There’sabookfairIneedtoattend,

butI’dbesogladtoseeyouthere.”

“Iwilldomybest.”

Shelookedathimagain,thenaway,quickly.

“Iknowyouwill,”shesaid.“Thankyou,Ezio.”

FORTY

Thepicturedealers’quarterwasn’thardtofind—acoupleofnarrowstreets

runningparalleltooneanother,thelittleshopsglowinginthelamplightthat

shoneonthetreasurestheyheld.

Eziopassedslowlyfromonetoanother,lookingatthepeoplebrowsingtheart

morethantheartitself,andbeforetoolonghesawashifty-lookingcharacterin

gaudyclothescomingoutofoneofthegalleries,engrossedincountingoutcoins

fromaleatherpurse.Ezioapproachedhim.Themanwasimmediatelyonthe

defensive.

“Whatdoyouwant?”heasked,nervously.

“Justmadeasale,haveyou?”

Themandrewhimselfup.“Ifit’sanybusinessofyours...”

“Portraitofalady?”

ThemantookaswipeatEzioandpreparedtoduckandrun,butEziowasa

littletooquickforhim.Hetrippedhimupandsenthimsprawling.Coins

scatteredeverywhereonthecobbles.

“Pickthemupandgivethemtome,”saidEzio.

“Ihavedonenothing,”snarledtheman,obeyingnevertheless.“Youcan’t

proveadamnthing!”

“Idon’tneedto,”Eziosnarledback.“I’lljustkeephittingyouuntilyoutalk.”

Theman’stonechangedtoawhine.“Ifoundthatpainting.Imean—someone

gaveittome.”

Eziowhackedhim.“Getyourstorystraightbeforeyoulietomyface.”

“Godhelpme!”themanwailed.

“Hehasmuchbetterthingstodothanansweryourprayers.”

ThemanfinishedhistaskandhandedthefullpursemeeklytoEzio,who

pulledhimuprightandpinnedhimtoanearbywall.“Idonotcarehowyougot

thepainting,”saidEzio.“Justtellmewhereitis.”

“Isoldittoamerchanthere.Foralousytwohundredaçke.”Theman’svoice

brokeasheindicatedtheshop.“HowelsewillIfeedmyself?”

“Nexttime,findanicerwaytobeacanaglia.”

Ezioletthemango,andhescamperedoffdownthelane,cursing.Ezio

watchedhimforamoment,thenmadehiswayintothegallery.

Helookedcarefullyamongthepicturesandsculpturesonsale.Itwasn’thard

tospotwhathewasafter,asthegalleryownerhadjustfinishedhangingit.It

wasn’talargepainting,butitwasbeautiful—ahead-and-shoulders,three-

quarter-profileportraitofSofia,afewyearsyounger,herhairinringlets,

wearinganecklaceofjetanddiamondstones,ablackribbontiedtotheleftfront

shoulderofherbronzesatindress.Ezioguesseditmusthavebeendoneforthe

SartorfamilywhenMeisterDürerwasbrieflyresidentinVenice.

Thegalleryowner,seeinghimadmiringit,cameuptohim.“That’sforsale,of

course,ifyoulikethelookofit.”Hestoodbackalittle,sharingthetreasurewith

hisprospectiveclient.“Aluminousportrait.Youseehowlifelikeshelooks.Her

beautyshinesthrough!”

“Howmuchdoyouwantforit?”

Thegalleryownerhemmedandhawed.“Hardtoputapriceonthepriceless,

isn’tit?”Hepaused.“ButIcanseeyouareaconnoisseur.Shallwesay...five

hundred?”

“Youpaidtwohundred.”

Themanhelduphishands,aghast.“Efendim!AsifIwouldtakesuch

advantageofamanlikeyou!Inanycase—howdoyouknow?”

“I’vejusthadawordwiththevendor.Notfiveminutesago.”

ThegalleryownerclearlysawthatEziowasnotamantobetrifledwith.“Ah!

Indeed.ButIhavemyoverheads,youknow...”

“You’veonlyjusthungit.Iwatchedyou.”

Thegalleryownerlookeddistressed.“Verywell...fourhundred,then?”

Ezioglared.

“Threehundred?Two-fifty?”

Ezioplacedthepursecarefullyintheman’shand.“Twohundred.Thereitis.

Countitifyoulike.”

“I’llhavetowrapit.”

“Ihopeyoudon’texpectextraforthat.”

Grumblingsottovoce,themanunhookedthepictureandwrappeditcarefully

incottonsheeting,whichhedrewfromaboltbytheshopcounter.Thenhe

passedittoEzio.“Apleasuredoingbusinesswithyou,”hesaid,drily.

“Nexttime,don’tbesoeagertotakestolengoods,”saidEzio.“Youmight

havehadacustomerwhowantedtheprovenanceonapaintingasgoodasthis

one.Luckilyforyou,I’mpreparedtooverlookthat.”

“Andwhy,mightoneask?”

“I’mafriendofthesitter.”

Flabbergasted,thegalleryownerbowedhimoutoftheshop,withasmuch

hasteaspolitenesspermitted.

“Apleasuredoingbusinesswithyou,too,”saidEzio,aridly,inparting.

FORTY-ONE

UnabletokeeparendezvouswithSofiathatevening,Eziosentheranote

arrangingtomeetthefollowingdayattheBayezidMosque,wherehewould

giveherbackthepicture.

Whenhearrived,hefoundheralreadythere,waitingforhim.Inthedappled

sunlight,hethoughthersobeautifulthattheportraitscarcelydidherjustice.

“It’sagoodlikeness,don’tyouthink?”shesaid,asheunwrappeditand

handedittoher.

“Iprefertheoriginal.”

Sheelbowedhimplayfully.“Buffone,”shesaid,astheybeganwalking.“This

wasagiftfrommyfatherwhenwewereinVeniceformytwenty-eighth

birthday.”Shepausedinreminiscence.“IhadtositforMeisterAlbrechtDürer

forafullweek.Canyouimagine?Mesittingstillforsevendays?Doing

nothing?”

“Icannot.”

“Unatortura!”

They’darrivedatanearbybench,onwhichshesat,asEziosuppresseda

laughatthethoughtofherposing,tryingnottomoveamuscle,forallthattime.

Buttheresulthadcertainlybeenworthit—eventhoughhereallydidpreferthe

original.

Thelaughterdiedonhislipsassheproducedaslipofpaper;hisexpression

immediatelybecameserious,asdidhers.

“Onegoodturn...”shesaid.“I’vefoundyouanotherbooklocation.Andit’s

notfarfromhere,actually.”

Shehandedhimthefoldedslip.Hetookitandreadit.

“Grazie,”hesaid.Thewomanwasagenius.Henoddedgravelytoherand

madetogo,butshestoppedhimwithaquestion.

“Ezio—whatisthisallabout?You’renotascholar,thatmuchisclear.”She

eyedhissword.“Nooffense,ofcourse!”Shepaused.“Doyouworkforthe

Church?”

Eziogaveanamusedlaugh.“NottheChurch,no.ButIamateacher...ofa

kind.”

“Whatthen?”

“Iwillexplainoneday,Sofia.WhenIcan.”

Shenodded,disappointed,butnot—ashecouldsee—actuallydevastated.She

hadsenseenoughtowait.

FORTY-TWO

ThedecodedcipherledEziotoanancientedificebarelythreeblocksdistant,in

thecenteroftheBayezidDistrict.Itseemedoncetohavebeenawarehouse,

currentlyindisuse,andlookedsecurelyshut,butthedoor,whenhetriedit,was

unlocked.Cautiously,lookingupanddownthestreetforanysignofeither

OttomanguardsorJanissaries,heentered,followingtheinstructionsonthe

paperheheldinhishand.

Heclimbedastaircasetothefirstfloorandwentdownacorridor,attheend

ofwhichhefoundasmallroom,anoffice,coveredindust;butitsshelveswere

stillfullofledgers,andonthedesklayapensetandapaperknife.Heexamined

theroomcarefully,butitswallsseemedtoholdnoclueatallaboutwhathe

sought,untilatlasthiskeeneyesnoticedadiscrepancyinthetileworkthat

surroundedthefireplace.

Heexploredthiswithhisfingers,delicately,findingthatonetilemovedunder

histouch.Usingthepaperknifefromthedesk,hedislodgedit,listeningallthe

timeforthesoundofanymovementfrombelow—thoughhewascertainnoone

hadnoticedhimenterthebuilding.

Thetilecameawayafteronlyamoment’swork,revealingbehinditawooden

panel,whichheremoved,seeinginthefaintlightbehinditabook,whichhe

withdrewcarefully.Asmall,veryold,book.Hepeeredatthetitleonitsspine:

theversionofAesop’sFablesputintoversebySocrateswhilehewasunder

sentenceofdeath.

Heblewthedustfromitandexpectantlyopenedittoablankpageatthefront.

There,ashehadhoped,amapofConstantinoplerevealeditself.Hescannedit

carefully,patiently,concentrating.Andasthepageglowedwithanunearthly

light,hecouldseethattheGalataTowerwaspinpointedonit.Stowingthebook

carefullyinhisbeltwallet,heleftthebuildingandmadehiswaynorththrough

thecity,takingtheferryacrosstheGoldenHorntoaquaynearthefootofthe

tower.

Hehadtouseallhisblending-inskillstogetpasttheguardsbut,onceinside,

wasguidedbythebook,whichtookhimupawindingstonestaircasetoa

landingbetweenfloors.

Itappearedtocontainnothingbeyonditsbarestonewalls.

Eziodouble-checkedwiththebookandverifiedthathewasintherightplace.

Hesearchedthewallswithhishands,feelingforanygiveawaycrevicethat

mightindicateahiddenaperture,tensingatthesoundoftheslightestfootfallon

thestairway,butnoneapproached.Atlasthefoundagapbetweenthestonework

thatwasnotfilledwithmortar,andfolloweditwithhisfingers,disclosingwhat

wasaverynarrow,concealeddoorway.

Alittlemoreresearchledhimtopushgentlyagainstthesurroundingstones

untilhefoundoneaboutthreefeetfromthefloorthatgaveslightly,allowingthe

doortoswingback,revealing,withinthedepthofthetower’swall,asmall

room,scarcelybigenoughtoenter.Inside,onanarrowcolumn,restedanother

circularstonekey—histhird.Hesqueezedintothespacetoretrieveit,andashe

didso,itbegantoglow,itslightincreasingfast,astheroominturnseemedto

growinvolume,andEziofelthimselftransportedtoanothertime,anotherplace.

Asthelightwasreducedtoanormalbrightness,thebrightnessofsunshine,

EziosawMasyafagain.Buttimehadmovedon.Inhisheart,Ezioknewthat

manyyearshadpassed.Hehadnoideawhetherornothewasdreaming.It

seemedtobeadream,ashewasnotpartofit;butatthesametime,somehow,he

wasinvolved,andaswellashavingthefeelingofdreaming,theexperiencewas

also,insomewayEziocouldnotdefine,likeamemory.

Disembodied,atonewiththescenethatpresenteditselftohim,yetnopartof

it,hewatched,andwaited...

Andthereagainwastheyoungmaninwhite,thoughnolongeryoung;whole

decadesmusthavepassed.

Andhislookwastroubled...

FORTY-THREE

Altaïr,nowinhissixties,butstillaleanandvigorousman,satonastonebench

outsideadwellinginthevillageofMasyaf,thinking.Hewasnostrangerto

adversity,anddisasterseemed,onceagain,poisedtostrike.Buthehadkeptthe

great,terribleartifactsafethroughitall.Howmuchlongerwouldhisstrength

hold,todoso?Howmuchlongerwouldhisbackrefusetobuckleunderthe

blowsDestinyrainedonit?

Hisponderingswereinterrupted—andtheinterruptionwasnotunwelcome—

bytheappearanceofhiswife,MariaThorpe,theEnglishwomanwhohadonce

—longago—beenhisenemy,awomanwhohadlongedtobecountedamongthe

CompanyoftheTemplars.

Timeandchancehadchangedallthat.Bythen,afteralongexile,theyhad

returnedtoMasyaf.AndtheyfacedFatetogether.

Shejoinedhimonthebench,sensinghisloweredspirits.Hetoldherhisnews.

“TheTemplarshaveretakentheirArchiveonCyprus.AbbasSofiansentno

reinforcementstoaidthedefenders.Itwasamassacre.”

Maria’slipspartedinanexpressionofsurpriseanddismay.“HowcouldGod

havepermittedthis?”

“Maria,listentome.WhenweleftMasyaftenlongyearsago,ourOrderwas

strong.Butsincethen,allourprogress—allthatwebuilt—hasbeenundone,

dismantled.”

Herfacewasamaskofquietfury.“Abbasmustanswerforthis.”

“Answertowhom?”repliedAltaïr,angrily.“TheAssassinsobeyonlyhis

commandnow.”

Sheplacedahandonhisarm.“Resistyourdesireforrevenge,Altaïr.Ifyou

speakthetruth,theywillseetheerroroftheirways.”

“Abbasexecutedouryoungestson,Maria!Hedeservestodie!”

“Yes.ButifyoucannotwinbacktheBrotherhoodbyhonorablemeans,its

foundationwillcrumble.”

Altaïrdidn’treplyforamomentbutsatsilently,brooding,thesubjectofsome

deepinnerstruggle.Butatlasthelookedup,andhisfacehadcleared.

“Youareright,Maria,”hesaid,calmly.“Thirtyyearsago,Iletpassion

overtakemyreason.Iwasheadstrongandambitious,andIcausedariftwithin

theBrotherhoodthathasneverfullyhealed.”

Herose,andMariarosewithhim.Slowly,immersedinconversation,they

walkedthroughthedustyvillage.

“Speakreasonably,Altaïr,andreasonablemenwilllisten,”sheencouraged

him.

“Somewill,perhaps.ButnotAbbas.”Altaïrshookhishead.“Ishouldhave

expelledhimthirtyyearsagowhenhetriedtostealtheApple.”

“Butmydear,youearnedtherespectoftheotherAssassinsbecauseyouwere

merciful—youlethimstay.”

Hesmiledatherslyly.“Howdoyouknowallthis?Youweren’teventhere.”

Shereturnedhissmile.“Imarriedamasterstoryteller,”shereplied,lightly.

Astheywalked,theycameintoviewofthemassivehulkofthecastle.But

therewasanairofneglecthangingoverit,ofdesolation,even.

“Lookatthisplace,”growledAltaïr.“Masyafisashadowofitsformerself.”

“Wehavebeenawayalongtime,”Mariaremindedhim,gently.

“Butnotinhiding,”hesaid,testily.“ThethreatfromtheMongols—theStorm

fromtheEast,thehordesledbyKhanGenghis—demandedourattention,and

werodetomeetit.Whatmanherecansaythesame?”

Theywalkedon.Alittlelater,Mariabroketheirsilencebysaying,“Whereis

oureldestson?DoesDarimknowthathisbrotherisdead?”

“IsentDarimamessagefourdaysago.Withluck,itwillhavereachedhimby

now.”

“Thenwemayseehimsoon.”

“IfGodwillsit.”Altaïrpaused.“Youknow,whenIthinkofAbbas,Ialmost

pityhim.Hewearshisgreatgrudgeagainstuslikeacloak.”

“Hiswoundisdeep,mydarling.Perhaps...perhapsitwillhelphimtohear

thetruth.”

ButAltaïrshookhishead.“Itwillnotmatter,notwithhim.Awoundedheart

seesallwisdomasthepointofaknife.”Hepausedagain,lookingaroundhim,at

thehandfulofvillagerswhopassedthemwiththeireyeseitherloweredor

averted.“AsIwalkthroughthisvillage,Isensegreatfearinthepeople,not

love.”

“Abbashastakenthisplaceapartandrobbeditofalljoy.”

Altaïrstoppedinhistracksandlookedgravelyathiswife.Hesearchedher

face,linednow,butstillbeautiful,andtheeyesstillclear,thoughhefanciedhe

sawreflectedinthemalltheyhadbeenthroughtogether.“Wemaybewalkingto

ourdoom,Maria.”

Shetookhishand.“Wemay.Butwewalktogether.”

FORTY-FOUR

MariaandAltaïrhadreachedtheconfinesofthecastleandbegantoencounter

Assassins—membersoftheBrotherhood—whoknewthem.Butthemeetings

werefarfromfriendly.

Oneapproachedthemandmadetopassbywithoutacknowledgment,but

Altaïrstoppedhim.

“Brother.Speakwithusamoment.”

Unwillingly,theAssassinturned.Buthisexpressionwasstern.“Forwhat

reasonshouldIspeakwithyou?Sothatyoucantwistmymindintoknotswith

thatdevilishartifactofyours?”

Andhehurriedaway,refusingtotalkanyfurther.

ButhardonhisheelscameanotherAssassin.He,too,however,clearlywished

toavoidanycontactwiththeformerMentorandhiswife.

“Areyouwell,brother?”askedAltaïr,accostinghim,andtherewassomething

challenginginhistone.

“Whoisasking?”hereplied,rudely.

“Doyounotrecognizeme?IamAltaïr.”

Helookedathimlevelly.“Thatnamehasahollowsound,andyou—youarea

cipher,nothingmore.Iwouldlearnmoretalkingtothewind.”

Theymadetheirwayunchallengedtothecastlegardens.Oncethere,they

knewwhytheyhadbeenallowedtopenetratesofar.Suddenly,theywere

surroundedbydark-cladAssassins,loyaltotheirusurpingMentor,Abbas,and

theystoodreadytostrikeatanymoment.Then,onarampartabovethem,Abbas

himselfappeared,sneeringlyincontrol.

“Letthemspeak,”heorderedinanimperiousvoice.ToAltaïrandMaria,he

said:“Whyhaveyoucomehere?Whyhaveyoureturned,unwelcomeasyou

are,tothisplace?Todefileitfurther?”

“Weseekthetruthaboutourson’sdeath,”repliedAltaïrinacalm,clearvoice.

“WhywasSefkilled?”

“Isitthetruthyouwantoranexcuseforrevenge?”Abbasresponded.

“Ifthetruthgivesusanexcuse,wewillactonit,”Mariathrewbackathim.

ThisretortgaveAbbaspause,butafteramoment’sreflectionhesaid,ina

lowertone:“SurrendertheApple,Altaïr,andIwilltellyouwhyyoursonwas

puttodeath.”

Altaïrnodded,asifatasecretinsight,and,turning,preparedhimselfto

addresstheassembledBrotherhoodofAssassins.Heraisedhisvoice

commandingly.

“Ah,thetruthisoutalready!AbbaswantstheAppleforhimself.Nottoopen

yourminds—buttocontrolthem!”

Abbaswasquicktoreply.“Youhaveheldthatartifactforthirtyyears,Altaïr,

revelinginitspowerandhoardingitssecrets.Ithascorruptedyou!”

Altaïrlookedaroundattheseaoffaces,mostsetagainsthim,some—afew—

showingsignsofdoubt.Hismindworkedquicklyasheconcoctedaplan,which

mightjustwork.

“Verywell,Abbas,”hesaid.“Takeit.”

AndhetooktheApplefromthepouchathissideandheldituphigh.

“What—?”saidMaria,takenaback.

Abbas’seyesflashedatthesightoftheApple,buthehesitatedbefore

signalingtohisbodyguardtogoandtakeitfromAltaïr’sgaunthand.

Thebodyguardcameclose.WhenhewasstandingnexttoAltaïr,ademon

possessedhim.Anamusedexpressiononhisface,heleanedintotheformer

Mentor,andwhisperedinhisear:“ItwasIwhoexecutedyoursonSef.Just

beforeIkilledhim,Itoldhimthatitwasyouyourselfwhohadorderedhis

death.”

HedidnotseetheflashoflightninginAltaïr’seyes.Heblunderedon,pleased

withhimself,and,scarcelyrestrainingalaugh,said:“Sefdiedbelievingyouhad

betrayedhim.”

Altaïrturnedburningeyesonhimthen.Inhishand,theAppleexplodedwith

thelightofaburstingstar.

“Ahhhh!”screamedthebodyguardinpain.Hiswholebodywrithed

uncontrollably.Hishandswenttohishead,scrabblingathistemples.Itlooked

asifheweretryingtotearhisheadfromhisbodyinanattempttostopthe

agony.

“Altaïr!”criedMaria.

ButAltaïrwasdeaftoher.Hiseyeswereblackwithfuryas,drivenbyan

unseenforce,thebodyguard,evenashetriedtoresisthisownimpulses,pulleda

longknifefromhisbeltand,withhandstremblingastheytriedtoopposethe

powerwhichdrovethem,raisedit,readytoplungeitintohisownthroat.

Mariaseizedherhusband’sarm,shakinghim,andcryingagain,“Altaïr!No!”

Herwordshadtheireffectatlast.Aninstantlater,visiblyshaken,Altaïrbroke

freeofthetrancethathadgrippedhim.Hiseyesbecamenormalagain,andthe

Applewithdrewitslight,becomingdarkanddull,inertinhishand.

Butthebodyguard,freedoftheforcewhichhadheldhiminitsgrasp,shook

himselflikeadog,lookedaroundmadly,inangerandfear,andwithaterrible

oath,threwhimselfonMaria,strikinghisknifedeepintoherback.

Thenhedrewback,leavingtheknifeburiedwherehehaddrivenit.Maria

stood,afaintcryformingonherlips.TheentirecompanyofAssassinsstoodas

ifturnedtostone.Abbashimselfwassilent,hismouthopen,butnosoundcame

forth.

ItwasAltaïrwhomoved.Tothebodyguard,itseemedasifhisformerMentor

unleashedhishidden-bladewithappallingslowness.Thebladesnickedoutand

thesounditmademighthavebeenasloudasarocksnappingintheheatofthe

sun.Thebodyguardsawthebladecomingtowardhim,towardhisface,sawit

approachinchbyinch,secondbysecond,asitseemedtohim.Butthenthe

speedwassuddenandferociousashefeltitsplithisfaceopenbetweentheeyes.

Therewasanexplosioninhishead,andthen,nothing.

Altaïrstoodforafractionofasecondasthebodyguardfelltotheground,

bloodshootingfromhisheadbetweentheshatteredeyes,thencaughthiswifeas

shebegantocollapse,andloweredhergentlytotheearthwhichwouldsoon,he

knew,receiveher.Aballoficegrewinhisheartashebentoverher,hisfaceso

closetohersthattheyseemedlikeloversabouttokiss.

Theywerecaughtinasilencethatwrappeditselfaroundthemlikearmor.She

wastryingtospeak.Hestrainedtohearher.

“Altaïr.Mylove.Strength.”

“Maria...”Hisvoicewasnomorethanananguishedwhisper.

Then,appallingly,thesoundsandthedustandthesmellsroseupviolently

aroundhimagain,smashingthroughtheprotectingarmor,andaboveitallthe

shriekingvoiceofAbbas:

“Heispossessed!Killhim!”

Altaïrroseand,drawinghimselftohisfullheight,backedslowlyaway.

“TaketheApple!”screamedAbbas.“Now!”

FORTY-FIVE

Altaïrfledbeforetheycouldreact—fledfromthecastle,throughitsgaping

portal,downtheescarpment,andintothesparsewoodthatboundedthearea

betweenfortressandvillageonthenorthernside.Andthere,inaclearing,asif

byamiracle,hewasbroughtshortbyanencounterwithanotherman,likehim,

butagenerationyounger.

“Father!”exclaimedthenewcomer.“IcameassoonasI’dreadyourmessage.

Whathashappened?AmItoolate?”

Fromthecastlebehindthem,hornswerecryingoutthealarm.

“Darim!Myson!Turnback!”

Darimlookedpasthisfather,overhisshoulder.There,ontheridgesbeyond

thewood,hecouldseebandsofAssassinsassembling,gettingreadytohunt

themdown.“Havetheyallgonemad?”

“Darim—IstillhavetheApple.Wehavetogo.Abbasmustnotgethishands

onit.”

Foranswer,Darimunslunghispackanddrewascabbardofthrowingknives

fromitbeforeplacingitontheground.“Therearemoreknivesinthere,take

themifyouneedthem.”

TheAssassinsloyaltoAbbashadseenthembythen,andsomewereheading

towardthemwhileothersfannedouttooutflankthem.

“They’lltrytoambushus,”saidAltaïrgrimly.“Keepagoodstockofknives

withyou.Wemustbeprepared.”

Theymadetheirwaythroughthewood,goingeverdeeper.

Itwasaperilouspassage.Often,theyhadtotakecoverastheyspottedgroups

ofAssassinswho’dgotaheadofthemorwhotriedtotakethemfromtheside,or

obliquely,frombehind.

“Stayclose!”Darimsaid.“Wegotogether.”

“We’lltrytoworkourwayaround.Therearehorsesinthevillage.Once

we’vegotmounts,we’lltrytomakeforthecoast.”

Upuntilthen,Darimhadbeentoopreoccupiedwiththeirimmediatedangerto

thinkofanythingelse,butnowhesaid,“WhereisMother?”

Altaïrshookhishead,sadly.“Sheisgone,Darim.Iamsorry.”

Darimtookabreath.“What?How?”

“Later.Timefortalklater.Nowwehavetogetclear.Wehavetofight.”

“ButtheyareourBrothers.OurfellowAssassins.Surelywecantalk—

persuadethem.”

“Forgetreason,Darim.Theyhavebeenpoisonedbylies.”

Therewassilencebetweenthem.ThenDarimsaid,“WasitAbbaswhokilled

mybrother?”

“Hekilledyourbrother.Hekilledourgreatcomrade,MalikAl-Sayf.And

countlessothers,”repliedAltaïr,bleakly.

Darimbowedhishead.“Heisamadman.Withoutremorse.Without

conscience.”

“Amadmanwithanarmy.”

“Hewilldie,”saidDarim,coldly.“Oneday,hewillpay.”

Theyreachedtheoutskirtsofthevillageandwereluckytomaketheirwayto

thestablesunmolested,forthevillageitselfwasteemingwithAssassinwarriors.

Hastily,theysaddledupandmounted.Astheyrodeaway,theycouldhear

Abbas’svoice,bellowinglikeabeastinpainashestoodatopasmalltowerin

thevillagesquare.“IwillhavetheApple,Altaïr!AndIwillhaveyourHEAD,

forallthedishonoryouhavebroughtuponmyfamily!Youcannotrunforever!

Notfromus,andnotfromyourlies!”

Hisvoicefadedintothedistanceastheygallopedaway.

Fivemilesdowntheroad,theyreinedin.Theyhadnot—asyet—beenpursued.

Theyhadgainedtime.ButDarim,ridingbehindhim,noticedthathisfathersat

slumpedinthesaddle,exhaustedandanguished.Hespurredhishorsecloserand

lookedintoAltaïr’sfacewithconcern.

Altaïrsatlow,hunched,onthevergeoftears.

“Maria.Mylove...”Darimheardhimmurmur.

“Come,Father,”hesaid.“Wemustrideon.”

Makingasupremeeffort,Altaïrkickedhishorseintoagallop,andthetwoof

themspedaway,specksdisappearingintotheforbiddinglandscape.

FORTY-SIX

HavingdepositedthenewkeywiththeothersinthesafetyoftheAssassins’

Constantinopleheadquarters,andhavingdeliveredthecopyoftheSocrates

FablestoagratefulandmarvelingSofia,Eziodecidedthatitwastimetomakea

reporttoPrinceSuleimanonwhathehaddiscoveredattheArsenal.

He’dhadsomeindicationofwheretofindhimandmadehiswaytoa

fashionableparkneartheBayezidMosque,wherehefoundSuleimanandhis

uncleAhmetseatedintheshadeofanorientalplane,thesunshineintensifying

thebrightgreenofitsbroadleaves.

AJanissaryguarddetailstoodaroundthematadiscreetdistancewhilethey

playedchess.Eziotookupapositionwherehecouldwatch,unobserved.He

wantedtospeakwiththeprincealone.Buthewasinterestedinchess—its

strategieshadtaughthimmanyskillstobeappliedelsewhere—andhewatched

theprogressofthegamewithinterest.

Thetwoplayersseemedprettyequallymatched.Afterawhile,Suleiman,

havingponderedamoveofhisuncle’sthatputhiskingindanger,respondedby

castling.

“That’snotalegalmove,”saidPrinceAhmet,insurprise.

“ItisaEuropeanvariation—arrocco.”

“It’sinteresting,butnotexactlyfair,whenyouplaybydifferentrulesfrom

youropponent.”

“Youmaythinkdifferentlywhenyouaresultan,”repliedSuleiman,flatly.

Ahmetlookedasifhehadbeenslappedbutsaidnothing.Suleimanpickedup

hisking.“ShallItakeitback?”heasked.

Inresponse,Ahmetrosetohisfeet.“Suleiman,”hesaid,“Iknowithasbeen

hardonyou,watchingyourfatherandmequarreloverBayezid’sthrone.”

Theyoungmanshrugged.“Grandfatherhaschosenyou,andhiswordislaw

—kanun.Whatistheretoargueabout?”

PrinceAhmetlookedathisnephewingrudgingadmiration.“YourfatherandI

werecloseonce,buthiscrueltyandambitionhave—”

“Ihaveheardtherumors,Uncle,”Suleimancutin,hotly.

Embarrassed,Ahmetlookedawayacrosstheparkforamomentbefore

returninghisgazetothechessboard.“Well,”hesaidfinally,“Ihaveameeting

withthecouncilofviziersshortly.Shallwecontinueanothertime?”

“Wheneveryouwish.”Suleimanwascordial.

Heroseandbowedtohisuncle,whobowedinreturn,beforeleavingwithhis

bodyguard.Eziowaitedamoment,watchingSuleimanashesatdownagain,

contemplatingthechessboardinhisturn.

Thenhemovedforward.

Suleimansawhimapproachandgesturedtohisguardsnottohinderhis

visitor.

“Ezio,”hesaid.

Eziocamestraighttothepoint.“Tarikhasbeensellinggunstoalocalmiser—

ManuelPalaiologos.”

Suleiman’sfacedarkened.Heclenchedhisfist.“Palaiologos.Thatisasad

soundinmyears.”Onceagain,herosetohisfeet.“ThelastByzantineemperor

wasConstantinePalaiologos.Ifthisheirofhisisarmingamilitiaofsomekind,

therewillbeconflict,anditwillescalate.Allthisatatimewhenmyfatherand

grandfatherareatoddswithoneanother.”Hetrailedoffandgrewthoughtful.

Ezioimaginedthathemustbebroodingoveroneofthehardestdecisionshe’d

everhadtomakeinhisshortlife.

“Tarikknowswheretheriflesareheaded,”Eziosaid.“IfIfindhimfirst,Ican

followtheweaponsstraighttotheByzantines.”

Suleimanlookedathim.“TarikwillbewithhisJanissaries,attheirbarracks.

So,ifyouwanttogetclose,youwillhaveto‘become’aJanissaryyourself.”

Eziosmiled.“Notaproblem,”hesaid.

“Güzel,”saidSuleiman.“Excellent.”Hethoughtsomemore,anditwasclear

thatthedecisionhewascomingtocausedhimdistress;butoncehe’dmadeit,he

wasfirm.“Gettheinformationyouneed—thenkillhim.”

Ezioraisedaneyebrow.ThiswasasideofSuleimanhehadnotseenbefore.

“Areyousure,Suleiman?YoutoldmeTarikandyourfatherwereclosefriends.”

Suleimanswallowedhard,thenlookeddefiant:“Thisistrue.Butsuchnaked

treasonagainstmygrandfatherdeservesdeath.”

Eziolookedathimforamoment,thensaid:“Understood.”

Therewasnothingmoretodiscuss.Eziotookhisleave.Whenhelookedback,

Suleimanwasstudyingthechessboardagain.

FORTY-SEVEN

WithalittlehelpfromYusuf’sAssassins,Eziowasabletoisolateandcorneran

unsuspectingoff-dutyJanissaryintheBazaarandrelievehimofhisuniform.

Butitwasnotwithoutaprice.TheJanissaryputupstiffresistanceandbadly

woundedtwoAssassinsbeforehewasovercome;butnotbeforehehimselfhad

sustainedamortalwound.ItwasnecessaryforEzio,withAzize’shelp,towash

thebloodstainsthoroughlyfromthewhitegarmentsbeforeheputthemon.But

thenhecouldpassforaJanissaryguardwithoutanyquestion,providedhewas

carefultokeephisbeardcoveredwithawhitescarf,exposingonlyhismustache.

Ashemadehiswaytothebarracks,hewasamusedand,atthesametime,

disconcertedattheresponseheevokedamongthelocalpopulation,bothmale

andfemale,OttomansandByzantinesalike,thoughthereactionswerethesame

mixtureamongallthenationalitiesheencountered.Somewereapparently

admiring,eveningratiating.Othersweresubtlydismissive,andyetmorereacted

withfearanduncertainty.ItwasclearenoughthattheJanissarieswereatbest

tolerated,atworstloathed.Therewasnotahintofgenuineaffectionorregard.

Butfromwhathecouldgather,thegreatestdisdainseemedtobeleveled

specificallyattheJanissariesbelongingtoTarik’sbarracks.Eziostoredthis

experienceinhismemory,certainthatitwouldproveusefulatsomefuturedate,

butforthemomentheconcentratedonhisgoal.

Hewasrelievedthathisuniformallowedhimtopassunhinderedand

uncontestedashemadehiswaytothebarracks,themoresoashewassoonto

discoverthattheAssassins’killingoftheJanissaryhadalreadybeendiscovered.

Ashedrewclosetohisdestination,hepassedasquarewhereaSeljukherald

wasannouncingtheman’sdeathtoacrowdofinterestedonlookers.

“Darktidings,citizensofKostantiniyye,”theheraldwasproclaiming.“A

servantofoursultanhasfallenatthehandsofacriminalandbeenstrippedofhis

garments.”Helookedroundandraisedhisvoiceanotch.“Beonthelookoutfor

anysuspiciousactivity.”

Eziocrossedthesquareasdiscreetlyaspossible,buteyesinevitablyfellon

him.Heprayedthathewouldbeabletoenterthebarracksunchallenged.Ifthey

knewaboutthemurderandthatthemanhadbeenkilledforhisuniform,they

wouldtightensecurityfasterthanamancouldsay“knife.”

“WoebetidethemurdererwhotookthelifeofabelovedJanissary,”theherald

continuedtointone.“Thisenemyofcivilizationmustbefoundandbroughtto

justice!Ifyouseesomething,saysomething!”Heglaredaroundatthecrowd

impressivelyandshookhisscrollforadditionaleffect,beforegoingon:

“Citizens,beware!Akillerstalksourstreets,amanwithoutconscience,

targetingtheservantsofoursultan.TheJanissarieshavededicatedtheirlivesto

theprotectionoftheempire.Returnthefavortheyhavedoneusandfindthis

killerbeforehestrikesagain!”



TheposterngateoftheJanissaryGarrisonstoodopen,thoughflankedbya

doubleguard.ButtheycametoattentionasEzioarrived,andherealizedthathe

hadhadthelucktowaylayaseniorNCOorjuniorofficer—forthedresshewore

clearlycommandedrespect,thoughtoanuninitiatedeye,theJanissaries’

uniformslookedvirtuallyindistinguishablebetweenofficersandmen.

Heenteredthecompoundwithoutdifficulty,butnosoonerhadhedoneso

thanhebegantopickupsnippetsofconversationregardingthekilling.

“Kardeslerim,oneofourownwasfoundmurderedandstrippedofhis

garmentsnotanhourago,andhisbody,theysay,wasdumpedonadunghilllike

somuchrubbish,”onesaidtoacoupleofhisbrothersoldiers,whomurmured

angrilyatthenews.“Keepaclosewatchonthesestreetsasyoumovethrough

them,”thefirsttospeakcontinued.“Someoneisplanningtostrike,usingour

uniformascover.Wemustbeconstantlyonourguarduntiltheculpritis

caught.”

“Anddisemboweled,”addedanother.

Eziodecidedtobeascautiousaspossibleforaslongashewasinthe

compound.Keepinghisheaddown,hemovedaroundthebarracks,familiarizing

himselfwiththem,and,ashedidso,eavesdroppingonvariousconversations.

Whatheheardwasmostrevealingandofgreatvalue.

“Selimunderstandsourplight.TheByzantines,theMamluks,theSafavid—

onlyhehasthecouragetofacethethreatsthosepeoplesrepresentforus,”said

onesoldier.

“Youspeakthetruth.Selimisawarrior.LikeOsmanandMehmedbefore

him,”anotherreplied.

“So—whyhasoursultanBayezidchosenapussycatoveralion?”

“PrinceAhmetsharesthesultan’scalmtemperament.That’swhy.Theyare

toomuchalike,Ifear.”

Athirdsoldierjoinedtheconversation.“SultanBayezidisagoodman,anda

kindruler...Buthehaslostthefirethatmadehimgreat.”

“Idisagree,”saidafourth.“Heisstillafighter.Lookatthearmyhehasraised

againstSelim.”

“That’sjustfurtherevidenceofhisdecline!Totakeuparmsagainsthisown

son?It’sshameful.”

“Donotbendthetruthtomatchthecontoursofyourpassion,efendim,”the

fourthmanrebukedhim.“ItwasSelim,afterall,whoattackedoursultanfirst.”

“Evet,evet.ButSelimdidsoforthegloryoftheempire,notforhimself.”

“Speakingofthewar,isthereanynewsfromthenorth?”afifthsoldier

chimedin.

“IhearthatSelim’sforceshavefallenbacktoVarna,”saidasixth.“Heavy

losses,Iamtold.”

“Incredible,isn’tit?Iprayforaswiftconclusion.”

“Yes,butinwhichdirection?”

“Icannotsay.Myheartsideswithoursultan,butmyheadhopesforSelim.”

“AndwhatofSelim’syoungson,PrinceSuleiman?”aseventhJanissaryput

in.“Haveyoumethim?”

“Notpersonally,”aneighthreplied;“ButIhaveseenhim.Iknowheisa

remarkableboy.”

“Hardlyaboy—acapableyoungman.Withamagnificentmind.”

“Doeshetakeafterhisfather?”

TheseventhJanissaryshrugged.“Perhaps.ThoughIsuspectheisanothersort

ofmanaltogether.”

TwomoreJanissariescameupandjoinedtheconversationasEziolingeredat

itsedge.Oneofthemwasclearlyabitofajoker.“WhydoesPrinceAhmet

lingerinthiscity?”heaskedwryly.“Heknowsheisnotwanted.”

“He’slikeamothhoveringaroundanopenflame.Waitingforhisfatherto

perish,sothathemaytakethethrone.”

“Didyouhear,”saidthejoker,“thatheofferedTarikabribeinreturnforour

loyalty?”

“Goddamnhimforthat.WhatdidTarikdo?”

Theotherguardlaughed.“Hespenthalfthemoneyonhorsefeedandsentthe

resttoSelim!”

FORTY-EIGHT

Severalornatetentswerepitchedwithinthebroadcompound,protectedbythe

highwallsthatsurroundedit.LeavingtheJanissarysoldiers,Eziomovedon

amongthem,gettingeverclosertothecenter,whereheguessedTarik’squarters

wouldbefound.Sureenough,asheapproached,heheardthefamiliartonesof

Tarik’svoiceashespoketoacourierwhohadjustcomeup,joiningTarik,who

wasinthecompanyofathirdJanissary,evidentlyanadjutant.

“Tarikbey,”saidthecourier.“Aletterforyou.”

Tariktooktheletterwithoutcomment,broketheseal,andreadit.Hewas

laughinginasatisfiedmannerevenbeforehehadreachedtheend.“Perfect,”he

said,foldingthepaperandputtingitinhistunic.“Therifleshavearrivedin

Cappadocia,atthegarrisonofManuelPalaiologos’sarmy.”

“Andourmen,aretheystillwithhim?”askedtheadjutant.

“Evet.TheywillcontactuswhentheByzantinesbreakcamp.Thenwewill

meetthemwhentheyreachBursa.”

Theadjutantsmiled.“Theneverythingisfallingintoplace,efendim.”

“Yes,Chagatai,”Tarikreplied.“Foronce.”

Hewavedthemenawayandstartedtowalkaway,amongthetents.Keeping

atasafedistance,Ezioshadowedhim.Buthecouldnotremaincompletely

unnoticedandwasgladofthelittleTurkishhehadalreadypickedupsincehis

arrivalinConstantinople,asguardseithercametoattentionorsoldiersofsimilar

ranktohisowngreetedhim.Butitwasnotallplainsailing.Onceortwicehe

losthistrailandnoticedsuspiciouslooksdirectedathimbeforehepickeditup

again;andoncehefacedadirectchallenge.Twoguardsblockedhisway:

“Whatregimentareyoufrom,efendim?”thefirstaskedhim,politelyenough,

thoughwithjustenoughedgetohisvoicetomakeEziowary.

BeforeEziocouldreply,thesecondcutin:“IdonotbelieveIknowyou.Ido

notseeyourimperialinsignia.Areyoucavalry?”

“Whendidyougetin?”askedthefirst,hisvoiceopenlyunfriendlynow.

“Whereisyourcaptain?”

Ezio’sTurkishwasn’tuptothis.Andhesawthat,inanycase,theirsuspicions

weremorethanaroused.Swiftly,heunleashedhishookbladeandtrippedoneup

withit,sendinghimcrashingintotheother.Thenheran,dartingbetweentents,

jumpingguyropesandstillkeepingoneeyeonthenow-distantTarik.

Therewasshoutingbehindhim:

“Imposter!”

“Deceiver!Youwilldie!”

“Stophim!”

“It’stheoutlawwhokilledNazar!Grabhim!”



Butthecompoundwasverylarge,andEziotookfulladvantageofthefactthat,

intheiruniformsandwiththeiralmostidenticalmustaches,oneJanissarylooked

verylikeanother.Leavingconfusioninhiswake,hesoonpickedupTarik’strail

againandlocatedhiminaquietcornerofthebarracks,wheretheseniorofficers’

map-roomsweretobefound.

EziowatchedasTarikenteredoneofthemap-rooms;heglancedaroundto

ensurethatthemanwasaloneandthathehimselfhadthrownoffthelasttraces

ofpursuit,andfollowedTarikin.Heclosedandboltedthedoorbehindhim.

Eziohadalreadycollectedalltheinformationhebelievedheneeded.Heknew

thatTarikplannedtorendezvouswithManuelatBursa,andheknewthatthe

armsshipmenthadarrivedatManuel’sgarrisoninCappadocia.SowhenTarik

immediatelydrewhisswordandflunghimselfathim,hedidnotneedtoask

questionsfirst.HesteppedneatlyasidetohisleftasTarikthrustwithhissword,

thenunleashedhisleft-handhidden-bladeandplungeditintotheright-handside

oftheJanissarycaptain’sback,rippingthroughthekidneyashecutinhardwith

thebladebeforewithdrawingit.

Tarikcrashedforwardontoamaptable,scatteringthechartsthatcoveredit

anddrenchingthosethatremainedwithblood.Hecaughthisbreathand,

drawingonhislastreservesofstrength,heavedhimselfuponhisrightelbow

andhalfturnedtolookathisattacker.

“Yourvillainyisfinished,soldier,”saidEzio,harshly.

ButTarikseemedresigned,almostamused.Eziowassuddenlyseizedby

doubt.

“Ah,whatbitterirony,”saidTarik.“IsthistheresultofSuleiman’s

investigation?”

“Youcolludewiththesultan’senemies,”saidEzio,hisconfidenceebbing.

“Whatdidyouexpectwouldcomeofsuchtreachery?”

Tarikgavehimaregretfulsmile.“Iblamemyself.”Hepaused,hisbreathing

painful,asbloodflowedsteadilyfromhisunstaunchedside.“Notfortreason,

buthubris.”HelookedatEzio,whohaddrawnclosertocatchhisvoice,which

hadnowsunktolittlemorethanawhisper.“Iwaspreparinganambush.

PreparingtostriketheByzantineTemplarsattheprecisemomenttheyfelt

safest.”

“Whatproofdoyouhaveofthis?”

“Look.Here.”

Painfully,Tarikpulledamapfromhisbeltwithhislefthand.“Takeit,”he

said.

Eziodidso.

“ThiswillleadyoutotheByzantinesinCappadocia,”Tarikcontinued.

“Destroythemifyoucan.”

Ezio’svoicehadsunktoawhisper,too.“Youhavedonewell,Tarik.Forgive

me.”

“Thereisnoblame,”Tarikreplied,strugglingwiththeeffortofspeakingat

all.Butheforcedhimselftogoon,knowingthathisnextwordswouldbehis

last.“Protectmyhomeland.Allahashkina!InGod’sname,redeemthehonorwe

havelostinthisfight.”

EzioputTarik’sarmoverhisshoulderandliftedhimontothetable,wherehe

hastilytorethescarffromhisneckandtieditastightlyashecouldaroundthe

woundhehadmade.

Buthewasalreadytoolate.

“RequiescatinPace,”saidEzio,sadly.



Outside,heheardthehueandcryforhimtakenuponcemore,andcloseby.

Therewasnotimetorepineoverhismistake.Hastily,hetoreofftheuniform

untilhewasstrippeddowntothesimplegreytunicandhosehewore

underneath.Themap-roomwasclosetothebarrackswall.Withthehelpofhis

hookblade,heknewthewallwouldbeclimbable.

Itwastimetogo.

FORTY-NINE

EzioregainedAssassinheadquarters,changed,andreturnedtoTopkapiSarayi

withaheavyheart.Theguardshadclearlybeengivenorderstolethimpass,and

hewasusheredintoaprivateantechamber,where,afterafewminuteshad

passed,Suleimancametomeethim.Theyoungprinceseemedsurprisedtosee

him—andagitated.

Ezioforestalledthequestioninhiseyes.“Tarikwasnotraitor,Suleiman.He,

too,wastrackingtheByzantines.”

“What?”Suleiman’sdistresswasevident.“So,didyou—?”

Ezionodded,gravely.

Suleimansatdownheavily.Helookedill.“Godforgiveme,”hesaid,quietly.

“Ishouldnothavebeensoquicktojudge.”

“Prince,hewasloyaltoyourgrandfathertotheend;andthroughhisefforts,

wehavethemeanstosaveyourcity.”Eziobrieflyexplainedwhathehadfound

out,toldhimwhathehadlearnedfromlisteningtotheJanissaries,andshowed

himthemapTarikhadgivenhim.

“Ah,Tarik,”whisperedSuleiman.“Heshouldnothavebeensosecretive,

Ezio.Whataterriblewaytodoagoodthing.”

“TheweaponshavebeentakentoCappadocia.Wemustactimmediately.Can

yougetmethere?”

Suleimansnappedoutofhisreverie.“What—?Getyouthere?Yes,ofcourse.

IwillarrangeashiptotakeyoutoMersin—youcantravelinlandfromthere.”

TheywereinterruptedbythearrivalofPrinceAhmet.Fortunately,hecalled

outtoSuleimaninanimpatientvoicebeforehearrived,soEziohadtimeto

withdrawtoacorneroftheroom,wherehewouldbelessconspicuous.

Ahmetenteredtheroomandwastednotimeatallincomingtothepoint.

“Suleiman,Ihavebeensetupandmadetolooklikeatraitor!Doyouremember

Tarik,theJanissary?”

“Themanyouquarreledwith?”

Ahmetshowedsignsofgettingseriouslyangry.“Hehasbeenmurdered.Itis

nosecretthatheandIwereatodds.NowtheJanissarieswillbequicktoaccuse

meofthecrime.”

“Thisisterriblenews,Uncle.”

“Itisindeed.Whenwordofthisreachesmyfather,hewillbanishmefromthe

city!”

Suleimancouldnotsuppressanervousglanceoverhisuncle’sshoulderat

Ezio.Ahmetnoticedthisandspunround.Hismannerimmediatelybecamemore

reserved.“Ah.Forgiveme,nephew.Iwasnotawarethatyouhadaguest.”

Suleimanhesitated,thensaid:“Thisis...Marcello.OneofmyEuropean

advisersinKefe.”

Eziobowedlow.“Buonasera.”

Ahmetmadeanimpatientgesture.“Marcello,mynephewandIhaveaprivate

mattertodiscuss,”hesaid,sternly.

“Ofcourse.Pleaseexcuseme.”Eziobowedagain,evenlower,andbackedhis

waytothedoor,exchangingaquickglanceatSuleiman,who,heprayed,would

getthemoutofthis.Luckily,theyoungprincepickeduphiscueperfectlyand

saidtoEzioinaclipped,officialvoice:

“Youknowyourorders.AsI’vesaid,therewillbeashipwaitingforyou

whenyouarereadytoleave.”

“Grazie,mioprincipe,”Ezioreplied.Helefttheroomthenbutlingeredjust

outsideit,wishingtohearhowtheconversationwouldend.Whathehearddid

notconvincehimthathewasoutofthewoodsatall:

“Wewilltrackdowntheperpetratorofthiscrime,Uncle,”Suleimanwas

saying.“Havepatience.”

Eziomulledthatover.Couldmattersbethatdire?Buthedidn’tknow

Suleimanthatwell.AndwhatwasitYusufhadwarnedabout?Againstmeddling

inOttomanpolitics?

Hismoodwasgrimasheleftthepalace.Therewasoneplaceheneededtobe.

Oneplacewherehecouldrelax—ashebadlyneededto—andcollecthis

thoughts.

FIFTY

Sonowweenteredonthathiddenpath,

mylordandI,tomoveoncemoretowards

ashiningworld.Wedidnotcaretorest.

Weclimbed,hegoingfirstandIbehind,

untilthroughsomesmallapertureIsaw

thelovelythingstheskiesaboveusbear.

Nowwecameout,andoncemoresawthestars.

EziohadstartedrereadingDante’sInfernoatSofia’ssuggestionseveraldays

earlier.Hehadreaditbefore,asastudent,butneverreallytakenitin,sincehis

mindwaspreoccupiedwithothermattersinthosedays,butnowitseemedlikea

revelation.But,havingfinallyfinishedit,heputthebookdownwithasighof

pleasure.HelookedacrossatSofia,herglassesperchedonhernoseasshesat,

headdown,glancingfromtheoriginalmaptoherreferencebooks,toanotebook

shewaswritingin.Hegazedatherassheworkedbutdidnotinterrupt,so

deeplyengageddidsheseeminthetaskathand.Instead,hereachedforthe

bookagain.PerhapsheshouldmakeastartonthePurgatorio.

Butjustthen,Sofialiftedhereyesfromherwork.Shesmiledathim.

“Enjoyingthepoem?”

Hesmiledback,placedthebookonthetablebyhischair,androse.“Who

werethesemenhecondemnedtohell?”

“Politicalopponents,menwhowrongedhim.DanteAlghieri’spencuts

deeply,no?”

“Sì,”Ezioreplied,thoughtfully.“Itisasubtlewaytoseekrevenge.”

Hedidn’twanttoreturntoreality,buttheurgencyofthejourneyhesoonhad

tomakepresseduponhim.Still,therewasnothinghecoulddountilhehadword

fromSuleiman.Providedthathecouldtrusttheprince.Buthisthoughtshad

calmed.HowcoulditprofitSuleimantobetrayhim?Heresumedhisseat,

pickedupTheDivineComedyagain,andturnedtotheplacewherehehadleft

off.

Sheinterruptedhim.“Ezio,”shebegan,hesitantly,“Iplantomakeatripto

Adrianopolisinafewweeks,tovisitanewprintingpressthere.”

Ezionoticedtheshytoneofhervoiceandwonderedifshehadpickedupthe

softnessthathadcreptintohiswheneverhespoketoher.Hadsherealizedhow

greathis...affectionforherhadbecome?Overcompensating,hewas

deliberatelynonchalantwhenhereplied,“Thatshouldbefun.”

Shewasstilldiffident.“Itisafive-orsix-dayridefromhere,andIwillneed

anescort...”

“Prego?”

Shewasinstantlyembarrassed.“I’msorry.Youareabusyman.”

Itwashisturntobeembarrassed.“Sofia,Iwouldlovetoaccompanyyou,but

mytimeisrunningshort—”

“Thatistrueforallofus.”

Hedidn’tknowhowtorespondtothat,takingitsmeaningseveralways,and

remainedsilent.Hewasthinkingofthetwenty-yearagegapbetweenthem.

Sofialookeddownatthemapforamoment,thenbackup.“Well,Icouldtry

tofinishthislastciphernow,butIneedtorunanerrandbeforesundown.Can

youwaitaday?”

“Whatdoyouneed?”

Shelookedawayandbackagain.“It’ssilly,but...abouquetoffreshflowers.

Whitetulips,specifically.”

Hegotup.“I’llgetyoutheflowers.Nessunproblema.”

“Areyousure?”

“Itwillbeanicechangeofpace.”

Shesmiledwarmly.“Bene!Look—meetmeintheparkjusttotheeastof

HaghiaSofia.Wewilltrade:flowersfor...information!”

FIFTY-ONE

TheFlowerMarketwasablazeofcolorandpleasantscents,andtherewasn’ta

Janissaryinsight.Eziomadehiswaythroughitanxiously,asnowhereinallthis

cornucopiahadheyetbeenabletofindanyoftheflowershesought.

“Youlooklikeamanwithmoneytospend,”saidaflowerseller,asEzio

approachedhisstall.“Whatdoneed,myfriend?”

“I’mlookingfortulips.Whiteones,ifyouhavethem.”

Theflowersellerlookeddoubtful.“Ah.Tulips.Forgiveme,butIamfresh

out.Somethingelse,perhaps?”

Ezioshookhishead.“It’snotmycall,unfortunately.”

Theflowersellerthoughtabouttheproblemforamoment,thenleaned

forward.Hespokeconfidentially.“OK,justforyou,hereismysecret.Manyof

thewhitetulipsIsell,Ipickmyselfnearthehippodrome.Notawordofalie.

Yougoandseeforyourself.”

Eziosmiled,tookouthiswallet,andtippedtheflowersellergenerously.

“Grazie.”



Busily,amaninhaste,hemadehiswaythroughthesun-warmedstreetstothe

hippodrome,and,sureenough,inthegrassalongonesideoftheracetrack,he

foundwhitetulipsgrowinginabundance.Happily,hebentdownand,unleashing

hishidden-blade,cutasmanyashehopedSofiawouldwant.

FIFTY-TWO

TheImperialParktotheeastofHaghiaSofiawaslaidoutinformalgardens,

interspersedwithverdantlawnsdottedwithwhitemarblebenchesandarbors

idealforprivatemeetings,andinoneofthemhesoonfoundSofia.

Shehadlaidoutalittlepicnic,andEziocouldseeataglancethatitwasn’t

localfoodanddrink.She’dmanagedsomehowtoorganizealunchthatbrought

togethersomeofthespecialtiesofboththeirhometowns,sotherewasmoleche

andrixotodegòfromVenice,andpanzanellaandsalametoscanofrom

Florence.She’dalsoprovidedfigsfromTuscoloandolivesfromPiceno,and

therewasadishofmacaroniandturbot.Thewineshe’dbroughtwasa

Frescobaldi.Awickerhamperstoodbytheneatwhiteclothshe’dlaid.

“Whatisthis?”hesaid,marveling.

“Agift.Sit.”

Eziobowed,handinghertheflowers,anddidashewasbidden.

“Thesearebeautiful—thankyou,”shesaid,acceptingthehugebouquetof

tulipshehadcutforher.

“Soisthis,”hereplied.“Anddon’tthinkIdon’tappreciatethetroubleyou’ve

beento.”

“Iwantedtothankyouforlettingmeplayasmallroleinyouradventure.”

“Iwouldscarcelyhavecalleditsmall,buta‘small’roleisquiteenoughfor

thisadventure,believeme.”

Shelaughedquietly.“Youareamystery,EzioAuditore.”

Helookedworried.“I’msorry—Idonotmeantobe.”

Shelaughedagain.“It’sfine!”Shepaused,thenadded:“It’sattractive.”

Eziodidn’tknowhowtorespondtothat,soheconcentratedonthefood.

“Thislooksdelicious.”

“Why,thankyou.”

Eziosmiled.Hedidn’twanttobreakthemood,butashadowhadfallenover

histhoughts.Hemustn’tcelebrate—orhopeforanything—prematurely.He

lookedathermoreseriously,andsheimmediatelycaughthisframeofmind.

“Anyluckwiththefinalcode?”heasked,ascasuallyashecould.

“Ah,thecode,”shereplied,stillalittleplayful,andEziowasrelieved.“Yes,

I’vesolvedit.Afewhoursago.Butyou’llhavetobepatient.Youwillgetit

soonenough.”

AndshelookedathimtheninawaythatbrokedownanydefensesEziohad

left.

FIFTY-THREE

Thelastbookwaslocatedinaplacemoredifficulttogetto.NiccolòPolohad

managedtoconcealithighonthefrontfaçadeofthemosqueofHaghiaSofia

itself,abovethegreatcurvedarchthatstoodbeforetheprincipaldomeofthe

formerbasilica.

Eziochosetocompletehismissionintheweehoursbeforedawn,asthen

therewouldbethesmallestnumberofpeopleabout.Hereachedthebuilding

unchallengedandcarefullymadehiswaytotheexonarthex,lookingupatthe

cliffofstonehehadtoclimb.Therewerefewcrevicesforhishookbladetogeta

grip,butafterseveralunsuccessfulattempts,hemanagedtoclimbtothespot

Sofiahadpinpointed.There,hefoundaweatheredwoodenpanel,overhungwith

cobwebs.

Hemanagedtobelayhimselftosomenearbypipeworkwhich,aftertestingit,

hefoundsolidenoughtotakehisweight,andheusedthehookbladeagaintopry

thepanelopen.Thewoodenboardfellaway,fallingtothegroundbeneathwith

whattoEzio’searswasadeafening,echoingclatter,andhehungthereinthe

greylightoffalsedawnsilently,prayingthatnoonehadbeenalertedbythe

noise.Butafterhehadwaitedforthreewholeminutes,andtherewasno

reaction,hereachedintothecavitytheboardhadconcealedandfromitdrewthe

bookhesought.

Oncebackontheground,hespedawayandfoundaquietspotinthevery

parkwherehehaddinedwithSofiaonlythedaybefore,andthereexaminedhis

find.ThebookwasacopyofLuitpoldofCremona’sMissiontoConstantinople.

HeallowedhimselftoimagineforamomentSofia’spleasureatthesightofsuch

ararity,beforeturningtoitsfront.

Theblankpagesglowedaboutasbrightlyasthethinstreaksofdawnlighthe

couldseeawaytotheeastacrosstheBosphorus.Andamapofthecityappeared,

which,ashewatchedhopefully,resolveditselfintofocus,andonitappeared

anotherlight,brighterthantherest,clearlymarkingtheForumoftheOx.

Followingthetrailindicatedinthebook,EziomadehiswaytotheForum,

awayinthewestofthecity,pasttheSecondandThirdHills,andaboutmidway

betweentheAqueductofValenstothenorthandtheHarborofTheodosiustothe

south.Itwasquiteawalk,butwhenhearrived,itwasstilltooearlyforanyone

tobeabout.Ezioscannedthehuge,desertedsquareforsomekindofclue,but

themarkedspotinthebookgleamedsharply,andherememberedthesystemof

subterraneancisternsbeneaththecity.Heconcentratedhissearchandlocated,

afteralittletime,amanhole,fromwhichstonestepsdescendedintothebowels

oftheearth.

Ezioclosedthebookandstoweditsafelyinhissatchel.Hereplacedhis

hookbladewithhispistol,checkedhishidden-blade,andwarilymadehisway

downward.

Hesoonfoundhimselfinavaultedcavern,onastoneembankmentbywhich

anundergroundriverran.Littorchesstoodinsconcesonthewalls,and,ashe

creptquietlythroughanarrow,dampcorridor,heheard,abovethesoundof

rushingwater,voicesechoing,raisedabovethedintherivermade.Following

thesoundofthem,hecameupontwoByzantineTemplars.

“Whathaveyoufound?”onesaid.“Anotherkey?”

“Adoorofsomekind,”hiscomradeanswered.“Brickedupwithhardstone.”

Edgingcloser,roundingacorner,Eziosawanumberofsoldiersashort

distanceaway,standingonanoldpierthatjuttedintotheriver.Oneofthemwas

rollingabarreloffoneoftwowaitingrafts.

“Thatsoundspromising,”thefirstofthenearerTemplarssaid.“Thefirstkey

wasfoundbehindasimilardoor.”

“Isthatso?Andhowdidtheyopenthatdoor?”

“Theydidn’t.Theearthquakedid.”

OnasignalfromthemenclosertoEzio,theothersoldierscameupwiththe

barrel,whichtheyproceededtolodgeinplaceagainstthedoor.Eziocouldnow

seethattheopeningwassealedwithclose-fittingblocksofsomehardblack

stone,cutbyamastermason.

“Theearthquake!Thatwashelpful,”saidthesecondTemplar.“Andallwe

haveisafewbarrelsofgunpowder.”

“Thisoneshouldbebigenoughforthejob,”repliedthefirst.

Ezio’seyesnarrowed.Hequietlyreleasedhisgunandpulledbackthe

hammer.

“Ifitisn’t,we’lljustgetmore,”thefirstTemplarcontinued.

Ezioraisedhisarmandtookaim,butthebarreloftheguncaughtthelightof

atorchashedidsoandglinted,theunusualflashoflightcatchingtheeyeofone

ofthesoldiers.

“What?”hesnapped.

HesawthegunandleaptinfrontofthebarrelatthesamemomentthatEzio

fired.Theballstruckhim,andhefelldeadinstantly.

Eziosworetohimself.

Butthesoldierswereontohim.

“It’stheAssassin!Let’sgetoutofhere!”

Eziotriedtoreload,butthesoldierswerealreadymakingtheirwayback

towardtherafts.Hefollowedthem,desperatetostopthembeforetheycould

raisethealarm.Butashereachedthepier,theywerealreadypushingoff.Bythe

timeEziohadleaptontothesecondraftandwasstrugglingtolooseits

moorings,thesoldierswereinmidstream,floatingaway.

Hehadcastoffandwasinpursuitwhenthethoughtstruckhim—werethey

scaredofhim,orweretheyleadinghimon?Well,itwastoolatenow.He’dhave

toplaythistotheend.

Ashisraftwaslighter,thecurrentbegantocarryhimcloser.Thesoldiers

seemedtobeinapanic,butthatdidn’tstopthemfromprimingbombsand

loadingmuskets.

“Wehavegunpowderaboard,weshoulduseit!”onecried.

“We’llblasthimoutofthewater,”saidanother,throwingabomb,which

explodedasithitthewaterbarelyafootaheadofEzio’sprow.

“Givemesomeroom,”yelledanothersoldier,tryingtosteadyhimselftotake

aimwithhismusket.

“Shoothim!”

“WhatdoyouthinkI’mtryingtodo?”

“Justkillthebastard!”

Theycareeredondownstream.Eziohadmanagedbythentograspthetillerof

hisraftandbringitundercontrol,allthewhilehavingtoduckanddivetoavoid

themusketballsthatcannonedtowardhim,thoughthepitchandrolloftheirraft

madeitallbutimpossibleforthesoldierstotakeseriousaim.Thenoneofthe

barrelsaboardworkedfreeofitsropesandrolledaroundthedeck,knockingtwo

soldiersintothetorrent—oneofthemtheirtillerman.Theraftbuckedwildly,

throwinganothermanintotheblackwater,thensmashedintothesideofthe

embankment.Thesurvivorsscrambledtothebank.Eziolookeduptothehigh

vault,whichranperhapstwentyfeetabovetheriver.Inthegloom,hecouldsee

thatatautropehadbeenslungthelengthoftheroof,andnodoubtbargesor

raftswereoftenhookedtoittoguidethemdowntheriver.You’donlyneedone

personaboardwithapoletounhookandrehookroundeachoftheeyeletsto

whichtheropewasaffixedatregularintervals.

AndEziocouldseethattherope,followingtheriver’sdownhillcourse,

slopedgraduallydownward,too.Justenoughforwhathehadplanned.

Bracinghimself,Eziosteeredhisownraftfortheembankment,andasit

smashedintotheonehe’dbeenpursuing,heleaptfromitontothestonepathway

attheriver’sside.

Bythattime,thesurvivingsoldierswerealreadysomewayaheadofhim,

runningfortheirlives—ortosummonreinforcements.Eziohadnotimeto

waste.

Workingfast,heswappedhisgunforhishookblade,scrambleduptheside

wallofthecavern,andthrewhimselftowardtheropeovertheriver.Hehadjust

enoughmomentumtocatchitwithhishookblade,andsoonhewasshooting

downstreamoverthewater,farfasterthanthesoldierscouldrunthoughhehad

tounhookandrehookwithsplit-secondtimingateacheyeletintherooftoavoid

fallingintotheroaringtorrentbeneath.

Ashecaughtupwiththesoldiers,hereversedhisfirstmaneuverand

unhookedatthecrucialmoment,throwinghisbodysidewayssothathelanded

ontheembankmentjustaheadoftheTemplars.Theystoppeddead,panting,

facinghim.

“Heisamadman,”saidthefirstTemplar.

“Thisisnoman—thisisademon,”asecondcried.

“Let’sseeifdemonsbleed,”bellowedabravercomrade,comingatEzio,his

swordwhirlinginhishand.

Ezioperformedahook-and-rolloverhisbackandpitchedhim,whilehewas

stilloffbalance,intotheriver.Threesoldiersremained.Thefighthadallbut

goneoutofthem,butEzioknewhecouldnotaffordtobemerciful.Theensuing

clashwasshortandbloody,andleftEzionursingagashedleftarm;andthree

corpseslaybeforehim.

Gulpingair,hemadehiswaybacktothesealeddoor.Theyhadcomealong

waydownriver,andittookhimagoodtenminutestoregainthejettywherethe

raftshadoriginallybeenmoored.Butatleastheknewthatheneedbeinno

immediatefearofpursuit;andthebarrelofgunpowderwasstilllodgedwhere

theTemplarsoldiershadplacedit.

Replacinghishookbladewithhispistoloncemore,Ezioloadedit,chosea

positionupstream,fromwherehecouldtakecoverbehindaprojectingbuttress,

tookcarefulaim,andfired.

Therewasthecrackofthepistolandthehissoftheballasitshottowardthe

barrel,eventhethudasitstruckhome,butthentherewas,forwhatseemedan

eternity,silence.

Nothinghappened.

Butthen...

Theexplosioninthoseconfineswaslikeathunderclap,andEziowas

deafened,thinking,astinystonesraineddownallaroundhim,thathemight

havebroughttheroofin,thathemighthaveirreparablydamagedwhateverwas

behindthedoor.Butwhenthedustsettled,hecouldseethatforalltheforceof

theexplosion,thesealedentrancewasstillonlypartiallybreached.

Enough,however,forhimtolookwithinitandseethefamiliarplinth,on

which,tohisintenserelief,thecircularobsidiankey,partnertotheothershehad

collected,restedundamaged.Buthehadnotimetorelax.Evenashereachedfor

it,henoticed,emanatingfromit,theglowthathehadexperiencedwiththe

others.Asitgrewinintensity,hetried,thistime,toresistitspower.Hefelt

undermined,unsettledbythestrangevisionsthatsucceededtheblindinglighthe

hadcometoexpect.

Butitwasnouse,andhefelthimselfoncemoresurrenderingtoapowerfar

greaterthanhisown.

FIFTY-FOUR

ToEzio,itappearedthattwentylongyearshadpassed.Thelandscapewasone

heknew,andthere,risingfromitlikeagiantclaw,stoodtheby-now-familiar

castleofMasyaf.Notfarfromitsgate,agroupofthreeAssassinssatneara

blazingcampfire...



TheAssassins’faceswerethoseofpeoplewhosebetterdreamshavegone

dark.Whentheyspoke,theirvoiceswerequiet,weary.

“Theysayhescreamsinhissleep,callingoutforhisfather.AhmadSofian,”

saidoneofthem.

Oneofthemenscoffedbitterly.“So,Cemal,hecallsoutforhisdaddy,does

he?WhatamiserablemanAbbasis.”

Theyhadtheirfacestothefireanddidnotatfirstnoticetheold,cowledman

inwhiterobeswhowasapproachingthroughthedarkness.

“Itisnotourplacetojudge,Teragani,”saidthesecondman,coldly.

“Itcertainlyis,Tazim,”Cemalcutin.“IfourMentorhasgonemad,Iwantto

knowaboutit.”

Theoldmanhadcomeclose,andtheybecameawareofhim.

“Hush,Cemal,”saidTazim.Turningtogreetthenewcomer,hesaid,“Masa’il

kher.”

Theoldman’svoicewasasdryasadeadleaf.“Water,”hesaid.

Teraganistoodandpassedhimasmallgourdwhichhehaddippedinawater

jarnexttohim.

“Sit.Drink,”saidCemal.

“Manythanks,”saidtheoldman.

Theotherswatchedhimashedrankquietly.

“Whatbringsyouhere,oldman?”askedTazim,aftertheirguesthaddrunkhis

fill.

Thestrangerthoughtforamomentbeforehespoke.Thenhesaid,“Pity

Abbas,butdonotmockhim.Hehaslivedasanorphanmostofhislifeandbeen

shamedbyhisfamily’slegacy.”

Tazimlookedshockedatthisstatement,butTeraganismiledquietly.Hestole

aglanceattheoldman’shandandsawthathisleft-handringfingerwas

missing.So,unlessitwasanextraordinarycoincidence,themanwasan

Assassin.Teraganilookedcovertlyatthelined,gauntface.Therewassomething

familiaraboutit...

“Abbasisdesperateforpowerbecauseheispowerless,”theoldman

continued.

“ButheisourMentor!”Tazimcried.“And,unlikeAlMualimorAltaïrIbn-

La’Ahad,heneverbetrayedus!”

“Nonsense,”Teraganisaid.“Altaïrwasnotraitor.”Helookedattheoldman

keenly.“Altaïrwasdrivenout—unjustly.”

“Youdon’tknowwhatyouspeakof!”stormedTazim,and,rising,hestrode

offintothedarkness.

TheoldmanlookedatTeraganiandCemalfrombeneathhiscowlbutsaid

nothing.Teraganilookedatthefaceagain.Mostofitwasshadedbythehood,

buttheeyescouldnotbehidden.AndTeraganihadnoticedthattheman’sright

cuffjustfailedtoconcealtheharnessofahidden-blade.

TheAssassinspoketentatively.“Isit...Isit—you?”Hepaused.“Iheard

rumors,butIdidnotbelievethem.”

Theoldmangavetheghostofasmile.“IwonderifImightspeakwithAbbas

myself.Ithasbeenalongtime.”

CemalandTeraganilookedateachother.Cemaldrewinalongbreath.He

tooktheoldman’sgourdfromhimandrefilledit,handingitbacktohimwith

reverence.Hespokeawkwardly.“Thatwouldbeimpossible.Abbasemploys

rogueFedayeentokeepusfromtheinnersanctumofthecastle,thesedays.”

“LessthanhalfthefightersherearetrueAssassinsnow,”addedTeragani.He

paused,thensaid:“Altaïr.”

Theoldmansmiledandnodded,almostimperceptibly.“ButIcanseethatthe

trueAssassinsremainjustthat—true,”hesaid.

“Youhavebeenawayalongtime,Mentor.Wheredidyougo?”

“Itraveled.Studied.Studieddeeply.Rested.Recoveredfrommylosses,

learnedtolivewiththem.Inshort,Ididwhatanyoneinmypositionwouldhave

done.”Hepaused,andhistonealteredslightlyashewenton:“Ialsovisitedour

BrothersatAlamut.”

“Alamut?Howdotheyfare?”

Altaïrshookhishead.“Itisoverforthemnow.TheMongolsunderKhan

Hulaguoverranthemandtookthefortress.Theydestroyedthelibrary.The

Mongolsrangeeverwestwardlikeaplagueoflocusts.Ouronlyhopefornowis

toreaffirmourpresencehereandinthewest.Wemustbestronghere.But

perhapsourbasesfromnowonshouldbeamongthepeople,notinfortresses

likeMasyaf.”

“Isitreallyyou?”askedCemal.

“Hush!”Teraganiinterrupted.“Wedonotwanttogethimkilled.”

Cemalsuddenlytensed.“Tazim!”hesaid,suddenlyworried.

Teraganigrinned.“Tazimismorebarkthanbite.Helikesanargumentforits

ownsakemorethananythingelseintheworld.Andhehasbeenasdispiritedas

us,whichhasn’thelpedhismood.Besides,heleftbeforethislittleplayreached

itsdenouement!”HeturnedtoAltaïr,alltraceofhisformerdespondencygone.

“Weclearlyhaveworktodo.”

“So,”saidtheoldman,“wheredoIbegin?”

CemallookedagainatTeragani.Theybothroseandpulledtheirhoodsup

overtheirheads.“Withus,Altaïr,”hesaid.

Altaïrsmiledandroseinhisturn.Hegotuplikeanoldman,butoncehewas

onhisfeet,hestoodfirm.

FIFTY-FIVE

Theywalkedtowardthecastletogether.

“Yousaythesemenarecruel,”saidAltaïr.“Hasanymanraisedhisblade

againstaninnocent?”

“Alas,yes,”Cemalreplied.“Brutalityseemstobetheirsolesourceof

pleasure.”

“Thentheymustdie,fortheyhavecompromisedtheOrder,”saidAltaïr.“But

thosewhostilllivebythecreedmustbespared.”

“Youcanputyourtrustinus,”saidCemal.

“Iamsureofit.Now—leaveme.Iwishtoreconnoiteralone,anditisnotasif

Iamunfamiliarwiththisplace.”

“Wewillremainwithincall.”

Altaïrnoddedandturnedtofacethecastlegatesashistwocompanionsfell

back.Heapproachedtheentrance,keepingtotheshadows,andpassedthe

sentrieswithoutdifficulty,thinkingwithregretthatnotrueAssassinsentries

wouldhavelethimslipbysoeasily.Hehuggedthewallsoftheouterbailey,

skirtingthemuntilhewasabletocrosstoatorchlitguardpostnotfarfromthe

gatesoftheinner,wherehesawtwocaptainsengagedinconversation.Altaïr

pausedtolistentothem.Afterafewwordshadbeenexchanged,heknewthem

tobemenloyaltoAbbas.Abbas!Why,thoughtAltaïr,hadheshowntheman

mercy?Whatsufferingmighthavebeenavoidedifhehadnot!Butthen,

perhaps,afterall,mercyhadbeenAbbas’sdue,whateverthecostofit.

“You’veheardthestoriesgoingaroundthevillage?”saidthefirstofficer.

“AboutAbbasandhisnightmares?”

“No,no—”thefirstmandroppedhisvoice.“AboutAltaïr.”

“Altaïr?What?”

“PeoplearesayingthatanoldAssassinsavedthelifeofamerchant,downin

thevalley.Theysayhefoughtwithahidden-blade.”

Thesecondofficershookhishead,dismissively.“Rumors.Idon’tbelievea

wordofit.”

“Trueornot,saynothingtoAbbas.Heissickwithsuspicion.”

“IfAltaïrisanywhereintheseparts,weshouldactfirst—seekhimoutand

killhim,likethevileoldcurheis.Hewillonlyspreaddiscontentlikehedid

before,makingeachmanresponsibleforhisdecisions.Underminingthe

authoritythathasmadeAbbasgreat.”

“Anironfist.Thatisallanyoneunderstands.”

“Youareright.Noorderwithoutcontrol.”

Altaïrhadtakenhistimetoassessthesituation.HeknewthatCemaland

Teraganiweresomewhereintheshadowsbehindhim.Thetwoofficersseemed

tobeallthatstoodbetweenhimandtheinnerbailey,andtheirspeechhad

provedthemtobesworntoAbbas’sdoctrines—doctrinesthathadfarmoretodo

withTemplarthinkingthanthatoftrueAssassins.

Hecoughed,verygently,andmovedintothepooloflight.

Thetwoofficersturnedonhim.

“Whothehellareyou?”

“Clearout,oldman,ifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou.”

Thefirsttospeaklaughedharshly.“Whydon’twejustcuthimdownwherehe

stands?Thepigswillbegladoftheextrameal.”

Altaïrdidnotspeak.Instead,heextendedhislefthand,palmtowardthem,so

thattheycouldseethathisringfingerwasmissing.

Theytookastepback,simultaneouslydrawingtheirscimitars.“Theusurper

returns!”barkedthesecondcaptain.

“Who’dhavethoughtit?Aftersolong.”

“Whatbringsyouback?”

“Adogreturningtoitsvomit.”

“Youtalktoomuch,”saidAltaïr.Withtheeconomicalmovementsanoldman

mustlearn,butwithnoneofanoldman’sslowness,heunleashedhishidden-

bladeashesteppedforwardandlunged—once,twice—withdeadlyaccuracy.

Hemovedontowardthegatesoftheinnerbailey,stillwary,andhiscaution

paidoff.Hesawathirdcaptainstandingbythemandwasjustintimetoduck

outofsightbeforethemancouldnoticehim.Ashewatched,heheardafaint

yellbehindhim,and,fromthedarkness,ayoungAssassincamesprinting

towardtheofficer.Hewhisperedsomethingtohim,andthecaptain’seyeswent

wideinsurpriseandanger.Clearly,thebodiesofthecorruptAssassinsAltaïr

hadjustdispatchedhadalreadybeendiscovered,andhisownpresencewould

doubtlessnolongerbeasecret.Swiftly,Altaïrexchangedhishidden-bladefor

thespring-loadedpistol,whichhehaddevelopedfromdesignsduringhisstudies

intheEast.

“Sendhimamessage,quickly!”thecaptainwasorderinghisyoung

henchman.Heraisedhisvoice.“AssassinsoftheBrotherhoodofAbbas!To

me!”

Altaïrhadstood,quietlyweighinghisoptions,whenfromclosetohiselbowa

friendlyvoicesaid:“Mentor!”

HeturnedtoseeCemalandTergani.Withthemwerehalfadozenfellow

Assassins.

“Wecouldnotpreventthediscoveryofthosecaptainsyoukilled—twoofthe

cruelestintheband,whowouldneverhasrisentorankunderanyonesave

Abbas,”Cemalexplainedquickly.“Butwehavebroughtreinforcements.And

thisisonlyastart.”

“Welcome.”Altaïrsmiled.

Cemalsmiledback.Behindhim,thelittledetachmentoftrueAssassinsraised

theirhoods,almostinunison.

“We’dbettershuthimup,”saidTeragani,noddingtowardtheblusteringthird

captain.

“Allowme,”saidAltaïr.“Ineedtheexercise.”

HesteppedforwardtoconfronttherogueAssassinofficer.Bythen,anumber

oftheman’sownrenegadesoldiershadrushedtohisaid.

“Thereheis!”yelledthecaptain.“Killhim!Killallthetraitors!”

“Thinkbeforeyouact,”saidAltaïr.“Everyactionhasitsconsequences.”

“Youpatheticmiser!Standdownordie!”

“Youcouldhavebeenspared,friend,”saidAltaïr,ashissupportersstepped

outoftheshadows.

“Iamnotyourfriend,oldman,”retortedthecaptain,andrushedAltaïr,slicing

athimwithhisswordbeforetheoldMentorseemedfullyready.

Buthewasready.Theconflictwasshortandbloody.Attheendofit,the

captainandmostofhismenlaydeadunderthegates.

“Followmetothecastlekeep,”criedAltaïr.“Andspillnomorebloodifyou

canhelpit.RememberthetrueCode.”

Butnow,attheportaltotheinnerbailey,anothercaptainstood,inhisblack

anddarkgreyrobes,theAssassinemblemglintingonhisbeltinthetorchlight.

Hewasanolderman,ofperhapssomefiftysummers.

“AltaïrIbn-La’Ahad,”hesaidinafirmvoicethatknewnofear.“Twodecades

havepassedsincewelastsawyouwithinthesewalls.Twodecadeswhich,Isee,

havebeenkindertoyourfacethantheyhavebeentoourdecrepitOrder.”He

paused.“Abbasusedtotellusstories...AboutAltaïrthearrogant.Altaïrthe

deceiver.Altaïrthebetrayer.ButIneverbelievedthesetales.AndnowIsee

here,standingbeforeme,AltaïrtheMaster.AndIamhumbled.”

Hesteppedforwardandextendedhisarminfriendship.Altaïrtookitinafirm

grasp,handgrippingwrist,inaRomanhandshake.AnumberofAssassin

guards,clearlyhismen,rangedthemselvesbehindhim.

“Wecoulduseyourwisdom,greatMaster.Now,morethanever.”

Hestoodbackandaddressedhistroops:“OurMentorisreturned!”

Thesoldierssheathedtheirdrawnweaponsandraisedtheirhoods.Joining

forceswithAltaïr’sexistinggroupofloyalAssassins,theymadetheirway

towardthedark-toweredkeepofMasyaf.

FIFTY-SIX

ButhardlyweretheywithintheconfinesoftheinnerbaileythanAbbashimself

appeared,behindadetachmentofrogueAssassins.Abbas,recognizablestill,but

anoldman,too,withsunkeneyesandhollowcheeks—ahaunted,frightened,

drivenman.

“Killhim!”bellowedAbbas.“Killhimnow!”

Hismenhesitated.

“Whatareyouwaitingfor?”Abbasscreamedatthem,hisvoicecrackingasit

strained.

Buttheywerefrozenwithindecision,lookingattheirfellowsstandingagainst

themandateachother.

“Youfools!Hehasbewitchedyou!”

Stillnothing.Abbaslookedatthem,spat,anddisappearedwithinthekeep.

Therewasstillastandoff,asAssassinconfrontedAssassin.Inthetense

silence,Altaïrraisedhislefthand—theonemaimedathisinitiationintothe

Brotherhood.

“Thereisnowitchcrafthere,”hesaidsimply.“Norsorcery.Doasyour

consciencebids.Butdeathhasstalkedheretoolong.Andwehavetoomanyreal

enemies—wecan’taffordtoturnagainsteachother.”

OneofAbbas’sreluctantdefendersdoffedhercowlandsteppedforward,

kneelingbeforeAltaïr.“Mentor,”shesaid.

Anotherquicklyjoinedher.“Welcomehome,”sheadded.

Thenathird:“Ifightforyou.FortheOrder.”

TheothersquicklyfollowedtheexampleofthethreewomenAssassins,

greetingAltaïrasalong-lostbrother,embracingtheirformeropponentsin

fellowshipagain.OnlyahandfulstillspatinsultsandretreatedafterAbbasinto

thekeep.

Altaïr,attheheadofhistroop,ledthewayintothekeepitself.Theystopped

inthegreathall,lookinguptowhereAbbasstoodattheheadofthecentral

staircase.HewasflankedbyrogueAssassinsloyaltohim,andspearmenand

archersrangedthegallery.

Altaïrregardedthemcalmly.Underhisgaze,therogueAssassinswavered.

Buttheydidnotbreak.

“Tellyourmentostanddown,Abbas,”hecommanded.

“Never!IamdefendingMasyaf!Wouldyounotdothesame?”

“Abbas,youcorruptedeverythingwestandforandlosteverythingwegained.

Allofitsacrificedonthealtarofyourownspite.”

“Asyou,”Abbasspatback.“Youhavewastedyourlifestaringintothat

accursedApple,dreamingonlyofyourownglory.”

Altaïrtookastepforward.Ashedidso,twoofAbbas’sspearmenstepped

forward,brandishingtheirarms.

“Abbas—itistruethatIhavelearnedmanythingsfromtheApple.Aboutlife

anddeath,andaboutthepastandthefuture.”Hepaused.“Iregretthis,myold

comrade,butIseethatIhavenochoicebuttodemonstratetoyouoneofthe

thingsIhavelearned.Nothingelsewillstopyou,Isee.Andyouwillnever

changenowandseethelightthatisstillavailabletoyou.”

“Killthetraitors!”Abbasshoutedinreply.“Killeveryoneofthemandthrow

theirbodiesontothedunghill!”

Abbas’smenbristled,butheldofftheirattack.Altaïrknewthattherewasno

turningbacknow.Heraisedhisgunarm,unleashedthepistolfromitsharness,

and,asitsprangintohisgrip,aimedandfiredatthemanwho,sevendecades

earlier,had,forashorttime,beenhisbestfriend.

Abbasstaggeredundertheblowoftheballasitstruckhim,alookofdisbelief

andsurpriseonhiswizenedfeatures.Hegaspedandswayed,reachingoutwildly

forsupport,butnoonecametohisaid.

Andthenhefell,crashingoverandoverdownthelongstonestaircase,to

cometorestatAltaïr’sfeet.Hislegshadbrokeninthefallandstuckoutatcrazy

anglesfromhisbody.

Buthewasnotdead.Notyet.Hemanagedtoraisehimselfpainfully,high

enoughtoholdhisheadup,andlookAltaïrintheeye.

“Icanneverforgiveyou,Altaïr,”hemanagedtocroak.“Fortheliesyoutold

aboutmyfamily,myfather.ForthehumiliationIsuffered.”

Altaïrlookeddownathim,buttherewasonlyregretinhiseyes.“Theywere

notlies,Abbas.Iwastenyearsoldwhenyourfathercametomyroom,tosee

me.Hewasintears,beggingtobeforgivenforbetrayingmyfamily.”Altaïr

paused.“Thenhecuthisownthroat.”

Abbasheldhisenemy’seyebutdidnotspeak.Thepaininhisfacewasthatof

amanconfrontingatruthhecouldnotbear.

“Iwatchedhislifeebbawayatmyfeet,”Altaïrwenton.“Ishallneverforget

thatimage.”

Abbasmoanedinagony.“No!”

“Buthewasnotacoward,Abbas.Hereclaimedhishonor.”

Abbasknewhehadnotmuchlongertolive.Thelightinhiseyeswasalready

fadingashesaid:“Ihopethereisanotherlifeafterthis.AtleastthenIshallsee

him,andknowthetruthofhisfinaldays...”

Hecoughed,themovementrackinghisbody,andwhenhisbreathcameagain

ashestrovetospeak,therattlewasalreadyinit.Butwhenhefoundhisvoice,it

wasfirm,anditwasunrepentant.

“Andwhenitisyourtime,OAltaïr,then,thenwewillfindyou.Andthen

therewillbenodoubts.”

Abbas’sarmscollapsed,andhisbodyslumpedtothestonefloor.

Altaïrstoodoverhiminthesilencethatsurroundedthem,hisheadbowed.

Therewasnomovementbutthatoftheshadowsstirredbytheflickering

torchlight.

FIFTY-SEVEN

WhenEziocametohimself,hefearedthatthedawnwouldhavebroken,buthe

sawonlythepalestshadesofredintheskytotheeast,andthesunhadnotyet

evenbreachedthelowbrownhillsofAsia,whichlayinthedistancebeyondthe

city.

Weary,worn-outbyhisexperience,hemadehiswayfirsttotheAssassins’

headquarters,togivethekeyintothesafekeepingofAzize.Then,hislegsaching

underhim,hemadehiswayalmostinstinctivelytoSofia’sshop.Itwouldbe

earlystill,buthe’dringthebelluntilsheawokeinherapartmentaboveit,and

hehopedshe’dbepleasedtoseehim—oratleast,thenewadditiontoher

library.Buthewasfranklytootiredtocarewhethershe’dbeexcitedornot.He

justwantedtoliedownandsleep.Lateron,heknew,hehadarendezvouswith

YusufattheSpiceMarket,andhehadtobefreshforthat.

Hewasalsoimpatientfornewsofhisship—theonethatwouldtakehimto

Mersin,fromwhencehe’djourneynorthintoCappadocia.Andthatjourney,he

knew,wouldrequireallthestrengthhecouldsummonup.



TheSpiceMarketwasalreadycrowdedbythetimeEzioreachedit,thoughhe

hadcontentedhimselfwithameretwohours’rest.Ezioshoulderedhisway

throughthepeoplemillingaroundthestallsuntil,afewyardsaheadofhim,he

sawathiefintheactofgrabbingalarge,stiffbagofspices,givingtheelderly

traderwhotriedtostophimaviciousshoveashemadehisgetaway.

Byluck,thethiefraninEzio’sdirection,snakinghiswaythroughthemob

withextraordinaryagility.ButashecameabreastofEzio,theAssassintripped

himupneatlywithhishookblade.Thethiefdroppedthesackashefelland

glaredupatEzio,butonelookfromhisattackermadehimdropanythoughtof

retaliation,and,pickinghimselfup,hevanishedintothecrowdasfastasarat

intoitshole.

“Thankyou,efendim,”saidthegratefultrader,asEziohandedhisbagbackto

him.“Saffron.Youhavesparedmeagreatloss.Perhapsyouwillaccept...?”

ButEziohadspottedYusufinthecrowd,and,aftershakinghisheadand

smilingbrieflyatthetrader,hemadehiswayovertohislieutenant.

“Whatnews?”hesaidashereachedhim.

“Wehavehadword—verydiscreetly—thatyourshipisreadytosail,”said

Yusuf.“Ididnotknowthatyouplannedtoleaveus.”

“IsnothingIdoasecret?”Ezioanswered,laughinglightlybutgladtohear

thatSuleimanhadkepthisword.

“Theyoungprince’sspiesarealmostasgoodasourown,”repliedYusuf.“I

expecthesentwordtomebecauseheknewyouwere...otherwiseengaged.”

EziothoughtbacktothetwohourshehadspentwithSofiaandwasgladthat

hehadmanagedtohavethemsincenowhedidnotknowwhenhewouldseeher

again—ifhewouldseeheragain.Andstillhehadnotdaredtellherofthe

feelingsthatweregrowingwithinhimandwouldnolongerbedenied.Couldit

reallybethathislongwaitforlovewasfinallycomingtoanend?Ifitwas,it

wouldhavecertainlybeenworthit.

Buthehadother,moreimmediatethingsonhismind.

“Wehadhopedtohavehadyourbrokenhidden-bladerepairedbynow,”

Yusufwenton.“Buttheonlyarmorerskilledenoughtodotheworkisin

Salonicaandwillnotreturnuntilnextmonth.”

“Keeptheblade,andwhenitisrepaired,addittoyourownarmory,”said

Ezio.“Inexchangeformyhook-blade.Itismorethanafairtrade.”

“Iamgladyouappreciateitsqualities.Ijustwatchedyoudealwiththatthief,

andIthinkyouhavemorethanmastereditsuse.”

“Icouldnothavedonewithoutit.”

Thetwomengrinnedateachother,butthenEzio’sexpressionbecame

serious.“Ihope,though,thatmyintendedvoyageisnotcommonknowledge.”

Yusufgavealittlelaugh.“Nottoworry,brother.Thecaptainofyourshipisa

friend,andalreadyknowntoyou.”

“Who,then?”

“PiriReis.Youarehonored.”Yusufpaused,troublednow.“Butneitherofyou

isgoinganywherejustyet.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“TheJanissarieshaveraisedthechainacrossthemouthoftheGoldenHorn

andorderedafullblockadeuntilyouarecaught.”Yusufpaused.“Untilthat

chainisdown,nothingsailsinorout.”

Eziofeltratherproud.“Youmeantheyraisedthechainforme?”

Yusufwasamused.“Wewillcelebratelater.Here—Ihavesomethingfor

you.”

DrawingEziointoadiscreetalcove,heproducedabombandcarefully

handeditover.“Treatthiswithrespect.Ithasfiftytimesthekickofourusual

bombs.”

“Thankyou.Andyouhadbettergatheryourpeople.Thiswillattractsome

attention.”

“Herearetwosmokebombs.Youmayfindthemuseful,too.”

“Bene.Iknowwhattodo.”

“I’msure.Thesuspenseispalpable,”jokedYusuf.

“I’lltakethetoweronthesouthbank.It’scloser.”

“I’lljoinyouatthequayandpointyourshipouttoyou.Sinaviciniyi

sanslar!”

Eziogrinned.“Goodlucktoyou,too,myfriend.”

YusufwasabouttogowhenEziostoppedhim.

“Yusuf,wait.Unfavore.”

“Yes?”

“ThereisawomanrunningabookshopattheoldPolotradingpost...Sofia.

Lookoutforher.Sheisaremarkablelady.”

Yusufgavehimakeenlook,thensaid,seriously.“Youhavemyword.”

“Thankyou.Andnow—wehaveworktodo.”

“Thesoonerthebetter!”



Placingthebombcarefullyinhissidepouch,andhookingthesmokebombs

ontohisbelt,Ezioswappedhisleft-handhidden-bladeforhispistoland

immediatelyhastenednorthtowardthetoweroppositeGalata,onthesouthside

oftheHorn.Thegreatchainwassuspendedbetweenthetwobanks.

There,Yusufjoinedhim.“Myarchersareinplace.They’llcoveryour

escape,”hesaid.“Now—look—there,intheouterharbor.Thereddhowwiththe

furledwhitesailandthesilverpennant?ThatisPiri’sship.Itiscrewedand

ready.Heiswaitingforyou.”

Therewasanopenareaaroundthetower,surroundedbyrampartsandtwo

smallerwatchtowersfromthetopsofwhichtauthaulageropesleddownto

jettiesandthewesternandeasternextremitiesofthearea.Attheouterpointof

oneofthem,Ezionoticedaweaponemplacement.Amassivesquitatoria,a

flamethrowerforGreekfire,stoodprimed,heated,andreadyforaction,manned

byacrewofthree.

AroundthetoweritselfstoodanumberofOttomanguards.Eziowouldhave

toputallofthemoutofcommissionbeforehe’dbeabletoplacethebomb,and

hethankedYusufsilentlyforthesmokebombs.Therewasnowheretotake

cover,sohemovedinboldlyandquicklyforafrontalattack.

Assoonastheguardssawhim,ahueandcrywasraised,andtheymassedto

fallonhim.Hestoodhisground,lettingthemapproachbutdrawinghisscarf

closelyoverhisnoseandmouthandpullinghishoodlowoverhiseyes.

Assoonastheywerewithinrange,hepulledthepinsonbothbombsand

threwthemtotherightandleftamongtheguards.Theydetonatedinstantly,and

densegreysmokebillowedout,encompassingtheguardsinamoment.Diving

intotheconfusion,Ezio,eyesnarrowedagainsttheacridfumes,drewhis

scimitarandwithitcutdownallthedefenselesssoldiersastheystaggeredabout,

disorientedbytheunexpectedfogthatsuddenlysurroundedthem.Hehadtoact

quickly,forthelightwindblowinginfromtheBosphoruswouldsoondisperse

thesmoke,buthesucceeded,andplacedthebombonaledgeatthebaseofthe

tower,justbeneaththefirsthugelinksofthechain,whichroseabovehisheadto

thewinchroominside.Thenhetookagoodfewstepsbacktowardthewater’s

edgeandfromthereunleashedhispistolandfiredatthebomb,ignitingit,then

instantlydivingforcoverbehindalargeironbollardonthequay.

Theexplosionwasimmense.Grimeandstoneswerethrowneverywhereas

thecolossalchainssnappedfreeofthetowerandwhiplashedoverEzio’shead

intothewater,snappingships’mastsastheyflewpast.AsEziowatched,the

toweritselfshiftedonitsbase.Itshiftedagain,seemingtosettle;butthenit

imploded,collapsinginamassofbrokenbrickanddust.

Momentslater,aplatoonofJanissariesrushedintothesquare,heading

straightforEzio,whobythenhadbrokencover.Hedodgedpastthemandused

hishookbladetoscaletheeasternwatchtower,knockingouttheguardatitstop

whenhereacheditandhookinghimselftotheropeleadingfromitdowntothe

jettyonwhichthesquitatoriawasplaced.Ashepreparedtoeffectazipline,he

sawtheJanissariesfittingarrowstotheirbows,butbeforetheyhadtimetotake

aimandfire,theythemselveswerecutdownbyahailofarrowsthatrained

downonthemfromAssassinbows.MoreAssassinsrushedintotheareaaround

theruinedtower,skippinglightlyoverthedebristoengagewiththeJanissaries

who’dsurvivedthefirstonslaught.

AmongthemwasYusuf.Lookingup,heyelledtoEzio,“Remember—thered

dhow!Andtheshipsbetweenyouanditarearmed—they’llstopyoufrom

sailingiftheycan.”

“I’lltakecareofthem,”Eziocalledback,grimly.

“Andwe’llclearthedocks!”

Eziolettheropetakehisweightonthehookbladeandkickedofffromthe

watchtower,zoomingdowntotheflamethroweremplacementandleapingoff

justbeforehereachedit,throwinghimselfatthenearestofthecrew,whowere

preparingtoturntheirweaponontheAssassinsfightingbythetower.Thefirst

heknockedintothewater,wherethemanwascrushedbetweentheshiftinghulls

oftwomooredbarges.Theothersheswiftlydispatchedwithhishookblade.

Hescannedtheflamethrower,quicklyacquaintinghimselfwithits

mechanism.Itwasonaswivelbase,operatedbyacrankattheleft-handside.

Thecannonitselfwasmadeofbrass,itsmouthintheshapeofalion’shead,

fromwhichtheendofthebronzetubewithinprojectedslightly.Onitsedgeit

wasaflintthatcouldbesparkedbythetriggermechanism,whichalsoreleased

thepressurizedoilvaporthatwouldbeshotfromtheheatedvatinthebaseof

theweapon.

Heheardavoicecomingtohimfromthemeleenearthebrokentower.Itwas

Yusuf.“That’sit!GettheshipswithGreekfire,”hewasyelling.“Iliketheway

youthink,Ezio!”

AcrosstheHorn,onthenorthbank,theOttomanGuardwerebringinguptwo

cannon,whichtheytrainedontheAssassinsfightingnearEzio.Soonafterward,

asEziowascrankingroundandtrainingtheflamethroweronthenearestships,

hesawthepuffsofsmokefromthecannonmouths,thenheardthecrumpof

theirdetonations.Thefirstcannonballfellintothewater,shortofwherehewas,

butthesecondsmashedintothejetty,makingitlurchdangerously.

Butitdidnotcollapse.

Eziosteadiedhimselfandpressedthetrigger.Withaloudroar,alongtongue

offlameinstantlyshotforth,andheplayeditacrosstheyardsanddecksofthe

threeshipsridingbetweenhimandPiri’sdhow.Thefirehe’dsetsprangupina

moment.Eziokeptpressingthetriggeruntilalltheoilinthetankwasusedup,

then,abandoningtheweapon,heleaptdownontooneofthebargesriding

beneaththejetty,sprintingitslengthandvaultingfromittocatchholdofthe

outergunwaleofthefirstburningship,haulinghimselfupontothedeckwithhis

hookbladeandtheremanagingtofightofftwodesperatesailorswhocame

towardhimwithbelayingpins.Hescaledtheforemastfromtheburningdeck

andwasjustintimetoziplinedownayardandhurlhimselffromitontothe

secondshipinlinebeforethemastbehindhimsnappedinthefireandcollapsed

inachaosofflameontothedeckoftheshiphe’djustleft.

Thesecondship,too,wasburningfiercely,andbeginningtosinkattheafter

end.Herantowardtheprow,pushingasideahandfulofpanickingmariners,and

ranalongitsbowsprittoleapfromtheretothethirdship,lessdamagedthanthe

firsttwo,wherethecrewwaspreparingtoturntheircannonontothereddhow,

nowonlytwentyyardsdistant.ToEzio’salarm,hesawPirishoutingordersto

makesail,andhissailorswerelettingoutthesheetsfrantically,inordertocatch

thewindandgetoutoffiringrange.

EzioraisedhisvoiceandcalledforaidfromtheBrotherhood,butwhenhe

lookedaround,hesawthatanumberofhisfellowAssassinshadalready

followedhisperilousrouteandwererightbehindhim,readytopounce.

Betweenthem,theysetontheguncrews,andafierceandbloodyskirmish

followed,leavingseveralAssassinsandallthemarinersontheblockadeship

dead.Onthereddhow,Pirihadraisedanarmtohaltoperationsandwas

bellowingtoEziotomakehastethoughhisvoicewaslostinthetumultoverthe

cannon.

Butatlast,Eziostoodatthegunwaleoftheblockadeship.Heusedhis

crossbowtofirealineovertothedhow,whichPiri’screwsecured,thenhe

ziplinedacrossthechoppywater.

Behindhim,thesurvivingAssassinswavedtheirfarewellbeforetakingtothe

doomedship’sboatsandmakingfortheshore.

Eziosalutedback,catchinghisbreathandwheezingalittle.Heflexedhis

joints,whichwerejustalittlestiff.Thenhewassurroundedbyahandfulof

Piri’smen,whocheckedhimoverforwoundsandconductedhimtothe

wheelhouse,wherePiristoodbeforethenow-fully-unfurledforesail.

“Youtookyourtime,”saidPiriReiswithabroadgrinthatwasnotunmixed

withconcern.

“Yes.Sorryforthedelay.”

Themenattheprowwerealreadyhaulinguptheanchors,and,momentslater,

thedhowpickedupthewindandmadeitsway,gingerlybutunimpeded,past

rowsofburningblockadeships—thewindthatcarriedthemforwardhadalso

seentoitthatthefirestartedbyEziohadspread,andtheshipshadbeen

anchoredtooclosetogetherforsafety.

“LuckyIwasupwindofthatlot,”Pirisaid.“ButIexpectyounoticedthat

fromthebeginning.”

“Naturally,”Eziosaid.

“Well,”saidPiri,asthereddhoweasedoutoftheHornandintothe

Bosphorus,steeringasouthboundcourse.“Thisshouldbeaninterestingtrip.”

PARTII

ThesoundsIheardbroughtbackintomymind

thesameimpressionthatweoftenget

whenorgansplay,accompanyingavoice.

Now,yes,wehearthewords;now,nowedon’t.

—DANTE,PURGATORIO

FIFTY-EIGHT

AtMersin,EziotookhisleaveoftheTurkishadmiral.Thesunsparkledonthe

sea.

“MayAllahprotectyou,myfriend,”saidtheseafarer.

“Mythanks,PiriReis.”

“Iwillawaityourreturnhere.ButIcannotstayforever.”

“Iknow.”

“Willyounottakesomeofmymenwithyou?”

“No—itisbestthatItravelalone.”

“Thenatleastallowmetoarrangeahorseforyou.Youwilltravelfaster,and

moresafely.”

“Iwillbegratefulforthat.”

“Youareabraveman,EzioAuditore,andaworthyfollowerofthegreat

Mentor,Altaïr.”

“Youdometoomuchhonor.”Eziolookedinland,hisfaceset.“IfIhavenot

returnedwithintwocoursesofthemoon...”

PiriReisnodded,gravely.“GowithwhicheverGodguidesyou,”hesaid,as

theyshookhandsinfarewell.



Thetwo-weekvoyagewasfollowedbyafurthertwo-weektreknorth,first

acrosstheTaurusMountains,then,afterbreakinghisjourneyatNigde,between

theTaurusandtheMelendizranges,onnorthagainthroughthelowbrownhills

toDerinkuyu,whereEzioknewManuelPalaiologos’srebelarmywasmassing.

HebrokehisjourneyagaininthegrimlittlevillageofNadarim,withinsight

ofthecitythatwashisgoal.Thefoulnessoftheplacecontrastedwiththe

beautifulcountrysideinwhichitwassituated.Fewpeoplewereabout,asitwas

justbeforedawn,andthefewwhowereeyedEziowarilyasherodeintothe

centralsquare,whichwasflankedononesidebyachurch.

Therewasnosignofanymilitaryactivity,andEzio,afterhavingstabledhis

horse,decidedtoscalethechurch’sbelltower,togetabetterviewofDerinkuyu

itself.

Hepeeredthroughthelighteningskywitheagleeyes,scanningthelow

buildingsthatcomprisedthenot-far-distantcity,afewspirespiercingitsprofile.

Buttherewasnoobvioussignofanygarrisonthereeither.

But,asheknew,therecouldbeareasonforthat.

Hedescendedagain.Thesquarewasdeserted,andEziowasimmediatelyon

hisguard.Hisintentionhadbeentorideon,butnowhewonderedifitwouldbe

safetoretrievehishorse.Hissuspicionsmountedashespiedafigurelurkingin

theshadowsoftheneglectedchurchwalls.Hedecidedtoapproach.

Ashedidso,thefigurespunroundtofacehim,brandishingadagger.Itwasa

youngwoman.Tough,wiry,tanned.Almostferal.

“Notsoclose,adiherif!”shegrowled.

Ezioraisedhishands.“Whoareyoucallingapig?”heasked,calmly.Hesaw

doubtflickerinhereyes.

“Whoareyou?OneofManuel’sscum?”

“Easy,now.Tariksentme.”

Thegirlhesitated,thenloweredherblade.“Whoareyou?”

“Auditore,Ezio.”

Sherelaxedsomemore.“Wehadwordfromtheyoungprince,”shesaid.“As

wehadnewsofTarik’send.Abadbusiness,andjustwhenhewassoclose.Iam

Dilara,”sheadded.“Tarik’sprincipalagenthere.Whyhavetheyonlysentyou?

Whynotmore?DidtheynotgetmyreportsinKostantiniyye?”

“Iamenough.”Eziolookedaround.“Whereareyourpeople?”

Dilaraspat.“CapturedbyByzantinesoveraweekago.Iwasdressedtolook

likeaslaveandmanagedtoescape.Buttheothers...”Shetrailedoff,shaking

herhead.Thendartedhimaglance.“Areyouacapablefighter?”

“Iliketothinkso.”

“Whenyou’vemadeupyourmind,comeandfindme.Inthetown,overthere.

I’llbewaitingbythewestgatetotheundergroundcity.”

Sheflashedherteethathimandwhiskedaway,fastasalizard.

FIFTY-NINE

Ezioequippedhimselfwithhispistolonhisleftwrist,hishidden-bladeonhis

right,andabraceofsmokebombsclippedtohisbelt.Hekeptthehookbladein

hispack.

HefoundDilarawaitingattheappointedplacetwohourslater.Thegateshe

hadmentionedwaslarge,iron-bound,andshut.

Shegreetedhimcurtlyandbeganwithoutfurtherpreamble:“TheByzantines

tookmymenintothiscavesystemsomedaysago.FromwhatIcantell,thisgate

istheleastprotectedofthelot.Everysooften,thesoldiersbringrefusethrough

here,butitisdesertedmostofthetime.”

“So—wesneakin,freeyourmen,andleadthemoutthroughhere?”

“Exactly...”

Eziotriedthedoor.Itdidn’tbudge.HeturnedtoDilarawithadisappointed

smirk,feelingsheepish.

“Iwasgoingontosay,afteryouunlockitfromtheinside,”Dilaraconcluded,

drily.

“Ofcourse.”

“Comewithme.”

Sheledthewaytowheretheyhadsightofanother,largergate,madeofa

hugecircularstonethatcouldberolledopenandclosedinastonetrack.It

openedastheywatched.Soldiersemergedandformedranksbeforemarchingoff

onpatrol.

“Themainentranceisthere,atthefootofthathill.Butitiswellguarded.”

“Waithere,”saidEzio.

“Whereareyougoing?”

“Ineedtogetafeelforthisplace.”

“You’llneedaguide.”

“Why?”

“It’sawarren.Youseethosetowers?”

“Yes.”

“Ventilatorshafts.Andwaterconduits.Thereareelevenfloorsofthecity,and

theygodownthreehundredfeet.”

“I’llmanage.”

“You’reanarrogantman.”

“No.Iamcautious.AndIamnotunprepared.Iknowthisplacewasmadeby

Phrygiansfifteenhundredyearsago,andIknowalittleofitsgeography.”

“Thenyou’llalsoknowwhat’sdownthere:anundergroundriversystematthe

verybottom,andaboveit,ontenmorelevels,churches,schools,shops,stores,

stableseven;androomforfiftythousandpeople.”

“Bigenoughtoconcealagarrison,infact.”

Dilaralookedathim.“You’llneedaguide,”sherepeated.

“Ineedsomebodyhere.”

“ThengowithGod,”shesaid.“Butbequick.Assoonasthepatrolshaveall

comeout,they’llrollthegateclosedagain.Withluck,you’llbeabletogetin

withthesupplywagonsoverthere.I’llwaitbythewestgate.”

Ezionoddedandsilentlytookhisleave.



HeblendedinwiththelocalByzantinepeople,whoseemedlessthanhappywith

thenewmilitarypresenceintheirmidst,andmanagedtopassthroughthegate,

walkingalongsideanoxcart,withoutdifficulty.

Thetorchlitinteriorilluminatedyellowishbeigewallsofsoftvolcanicrock,

besmirchedwiththesootofages,andyettheairwasfresh.Thestreets—ifyou

couldcallthebroad,grimycorridorsthat—werealivewithsoldiersandcitizens,

jostlingoneanotherastheywentabouttheirbusiness,andEziomadehisway

amongthem,penetratingeverdeeperintotheundergroundcity’sinterior.

Atlast,onthesecondlevelbelowground,hecameuponaspacioushall,with

abarrel-vaultedroofanddecoratedwithfadedfrescoes.Hemadehiswayalong

oneofthegalleriesandlookeddownonthefiguresinthemainroomtwentyfeet

belowhim.Theacousticwasgood,andhewaseasilyabletohearwhatthetwo

menthereweresayingtooneanother.

Hehadrecognizedthemimmediately.TheportlyfigureofManuel

Palaiologos,andthegauntoneofShahkulu.Nearthem,agroupofguardsstood

atattention.Ezionotedabroadtunnelleadingoffwestward—possiblyarouteto

thewestgateDilarahadshownhimearlier.

“Howsoonbeforemysoldiersaretrainedtousethoseguns?”Manuelwas

asking.

“Afewweeksatmost,”repliedthedourTürkmeni.

Manuellookedthoughtful.“ThemainJanissaryforcewillknowIhave

betrayedthembynow.Butdotheyhavetheresourcesforretribution?”

“Doubtful.Thesultan’swarwithSelimcommandsmostoftheirattention.”

Manuelbegantolaugh—buthislaughquicklyturnedtocoughingand

gagging.“Ah!”hegasped.“Whatthehellisthatsmell?Havetheventilators

beenblocked?”

“Apologies,Manuel.Perhapsthewindhaschanged.SomeoftheOttoman

prisonerswetookaweekorsoagoturnedouttobe...sofragile.Wehadtoput

themsomewhereaftertheymetwiththeirunfortunate...accident.”

Manuelwasalmostamusedbythisbutalsoworried.“Shahkulu,tryto

moderateyouranger.Iknowthatthesultanhumiliatedyourpeople.Butthereis

noneedtospitonmenwhoarebelowus.”

“Humiliatedmypeople!”Shahkulushouted.“Hetriedtocrushusasifwe

weresomanyroaches!ThatiswhyIsidedwithIsmailofPersiaandtookthe

name‘Shahkulu’—servantoftheShah.Underthatname,Iwillprevailagainst

whatevertheSeljukstrytothrowagainsttheTurkmenpeople,andthoseofus

whofollowtheSafavid,andthelawofShia.”

“Ofcourse,ofcourse—butnevertheless,getridoftheevidence,”said

Manuel,takinghisleave,ascentedhandkerchiefpressedtohisnose.

Shahkulusullenlywatchedhimgo,thensnappedhisfingersattheremaining

bodyguards.“Youthree—gatherthecorpsesanddumpthemoutsideonthe

westerndunghill.”

Thesergeantoftheguardlookednervous.“Shahkulu,Idon’thavethekeyto

thewestgate,”hestammered.

Shahkuluexplodedwithrage.“Thenfindit,idiot!”hebellowed,stormingoff.

Leftalone,theguardslookedatoneanother.

“Whohasthekey?Anyidea?”saidthesergeant,testily.Hedidn’tlikebeing

calledanidiotinfrontofhismen,andhedidn’tliketheirsmirks,either.

“IthinkNikoloshasit,”saidoneofthem.“He’sonleavetoday.”

“Thenhe’llbeatthemarketonLevelThree,”putintheothersoldier.

“Stuffinghisface,nodoubt,”grousedthefirstman.“Hristémou!I’dliketo

runShahkuluthroughwithaspear!”

“Hey,hey!”saidthesergeantseverely.“Keepthattoyourself,edáxi?”

Eziobarelyheardthelastwords.Hewasalreadyonhiswaytothemarket,

onefloorbelow.

SIXTY

Apartfromthefactthatitshallwasdeepunderground,themarketwasmuchas

anyother—stallssellingmeat,vegetables,spices—whoseodorswere

everywhere,andevendenserthantheywouldhavebeenintheopenair—

clothes,shoes—whateverthepeopleneeded.Andtherewerelittletavernasand

wineshops.Nearoneofthem,inanopenspace,adrunkenscraphadbrokenout

—evidentlyoveralight-skinnedwhore,abonyolderwomanwhosatelegantly

onachairatoneofthewine-shoptables,clearlyenjoyingthespectacle.

Acirclehadformedaroundthetwomenwhowerethrowingpunchesatone

another,thebystanderseggingthemonwithraggedshoutsofencouragement.

Eziojoinedthecircle’souteredges:

“Givehimone!”

“Hithim!”

“Killthebastard!”

“Isthatallyou’vegot?”

“Blood!Blood!”

“Manglehim!”

Amongthewatchers,mostofwhomwereasdrunkasthebrawlers,wasafat,

red-facedsoldierwithascruffybeardandarecedingchin,holdingawineskin

androaringalongwiththerestofthem.Eziohadalreadynoticedtheunclasped

leatherwalletonhisbeltandcouldseethebowofalargeironkeyprotruding

fromit.Heglancedaroundandsawthethreeguardsfromthepaintedhall

approachingthroughthemarketonthefarside.

Notimetolose.Hesidleduptothefatsoldierfrombehindandpluckedthe

keyfromthewalletjustashisfellowsoldiershailedhimbyname.

Nikoloswouldhavealotofexplainingtodo,thoughtEzio,ashemadehis

waybacktotheSecondLevelandthetunnelfromwhichthestenchhad

emanated—thetunnelwhich,heguessed,ledtothewestgate.

SIXTY-ONE

“Youtookyourtime,”saidDilarainaharshwhisper,asEziounlockedthewest

gatefromtheinsideandletherin.

“You’rewelcome,”mutteredEzio,grimly.

ButDilarathendidexactlyasEziohadexpected,andretched,herhand

shootingtoherface.“AmanAllahim!Whatisthat?”

Eziosteppedbackandindicatedapileofdeadbodies,stackedinabroad

nichejustinsidethedoorway.“Noteveryonewastakenprisoner.”

Dilararushedforwardtowardtheheap,butthenstoppedshort,staring.“Poor

men!Godkeepthem!”

Hershouldersdroppedasherspiritssank.Sheseemedalittlemorehuman,

underthefiercefaçadeshemaintained.“ThatTürkmenirenegadeShahkuludid

this,Iknow,”shecontinued.

Ezionodded.

“I’llkillhim!”

Andsheranoff.“Wait!”Eziocalledafterher,butitwastoolate.Shewas

alreadygone.

Eziosetoffafterherandfoundheratlastinasecludedspotoverlookinga

smallpublicsquare.Heapproachedwithcare.Shehadherbacktohimandwas

staringatsomethinghappeninginthesquare,stillinvisibletohim.

“Youaren’tverygoodatcooperation,”hesaidashecameup.

Shedidn’tturn.“I’mheretorescuewhatremainsofmymen,”shesaidcoldly.

“Nottomakefriends.”

“Youdon’thavetobefriendstocooperate,”saidEzio,drawingcloser.“Butit

wouldhelptoknowwhereyourmenwere,andIcanhelpyoufindthem.”

HewasinterruptedbyananguishedscreamandhurrieduptojointheTurkish

spy.Herfacehadhardened.

“Rightthere,”shesaid,pointing.

Eziofollowedthedirectionofherfingerandsaw,inthesquare,anumberof

Ottomanprisonersseatedontheground,theirhandsbound.Astheywatched,

oneofthemwasthrowntothegroundbyByzantineguards.Therewasa

makeshiftgallowsnearby,andfromitanotherOttomanhungfromhiswrists,

withhisarmsbentbehindhim.NearhimstoodShahkulu,instantlyrecognizable

despitetheexecutioner’smaskhewore.ThemanscreamedasShahkulu

deliveredblowafterblowtohisbody.

“It’sJanos,”DilarasaidtoEzio,turningtohimatlast.“Wemusthelphim!”

Eziolookedcloselyatwhatwasgoingon.“Ihaveagun,butIcan’tuseit,”he

said.“Thebodyarmorhe’swearingistoothickforbullets.”Hepaused.“I’ll

havetogetinclose.”

“There’slittletime.Thisisn’taninterrogation.ShahkuluistorturingJanosto

death.Andthenthere’llbeanother.Andanother...”

Shewincedateachblowandeachscream.

TheycouldhearthelaughterandthetauntsofShahkulu’smen.

“IthinkIcanseehowwecandothis,”saidEzio.Heunhookedasmokebomb

fromhisbelt.“WhenIthrowthis,yougoaroundtotheright.Seeifyoucanstart

cuttingthebondsofyourmenundercoverofthesmokefromthisbomb.”

Shenodded.“AndShahkulu?”

“Leavehimtome.”

“Justmakesureyoufinishtherat.”

Eziopulledthepinfromthebomb,waitedamomentforthesmoketostartto

gush,andthrewittowardthegallowswithacarefulaim.TheByzantines

thoughttheyhadmadesureofalltheoppositionandwerenotexpectingan

attack.Theyweretakencompletelybysurprise.

Intheconfusion,EzioandDilaraboundeddowntheslopeandintothesquare,

splittingtorightandleft.Ezioshotdownthefirstguardtocomeathimand

smashedanother’sjawwiththebraceronhisleftforearm.Thenheunleashedhis

hidden-bladeandmovedinfasttowardShahkulu,who’ddrawnaheavyscimitar

andwasstandinghisground,twistingtotheleftandright,unsureofwherethe

attackwouldcomefrom.Themomenthisattentionwasdiverted,Ezioleaptat

himandplungedhisbladeintothetopofhischestbetweenthejawlineofthe

maskandhisbodyarmor.Darkbloodbubbledfortharoundhisfistashekeptthe

bladewhereitwas.

Shahkulufell,Ezioholdingontohimandfallingwithhim,endingup

kneelingovertheman,whosestruggleswerelosingtheirviolence.Hiseyes

closed.

“Menwhomakeafetishoutofmurderdeservenopity,”Eziosaid,hislips

closetotheman’sear.

ButthenShahkulu’seyessprangopeninamanicstare,andamailedfistshot

toEzio’sthroat,grippingittightly.Shahkulustartedtolaughcrazily.Ashedid

so,thebloodpumpedoutfasterfromhiswound,andEziorammedthebladein

harderandtwisteditviciouslyashedidso.Withalastspasm,Shahkuluthrust

Eziofromhim,sendinghimsprawlinginthedust.Thenhisbackarchedinhis

deathagony,arattlesoundedinhisthroat,andhefellback,inert.

EziopickedhimselfupandcleanedhisbladeonShahkulu’scloak.Dilarahad

alreadycutsomeofhermenfreeandEziowasintimetoseeherthrowherself

onthebackofthelast,fleeingByzantinesurvivor,bringinghimdownand

slicinghisthroatopeninonecleanmovement.Shejumpedbackfromthekill,

landinglikeacat,andturnedtoherrescuedtroops.

EziogaveShahkulu’sbodyakick,tobesure,thistime,thathewasdead.

Dilarawaspullinghermentotheirfeet.

“Blessyou,Dilara,”saidJanos,asshecuthimdown.

“Canyouwalk?”

“Ithinkso.”

Eziocameup.“WasyoursthedetachmentthatbroughtthegunsforManuel?”

Shenodded.

“Thentheymustbedestroyed.”

Shenoddedagain.“Butmostofthemdon’tactuallywork.Thegunpowder’s

realenoughthough—wecouldn’tfakethat.”

“Bene,”saidEzio.HelookedattheOttomansstandingroundhim.“Get

yourselvesoutofsightuntilyouheartheexplosions,thenrun!”

“Explosions?”saidDilara.“Ifyoudothat,allhellwillbreakloose.Youwill

panictheentirecity.”

“I’mcountingonthat,”repliedEzio.“Theexplosionswilldestroywhatever

goodgunsthereare,andasforthepanic,itcanonlyhelpus.”

Dilaraconsideredthis.“Allright.I’lltakemymentoaplaceofsafety.But

whataboutyou?”

“Aftertheexplosionshavegoneoff,I’mgoingafterManuelPalaiologos.”

SIXTY-TWO

Thereweregreatvaultsintheundergroundcity—vastman-madecavernswhere

thegunpowderandarmscachesforManuel’sarmywerestored.Asystemof

block-and-tacklepulleysystemsfortransportingpowderkegsontautropeways

fromoneplacetoanotherhadbeensetup,and,asEziowatchedfromavantage

pointinagalleryhehadreachedontheFifthLevel,hesawgroupsofByzantine

civiliansengagedinjustsuchactivity,underthewatchfuleyeofManuel’s

renegadetroops.Itwasaperfectopportunity,andhethankedGodthattheir

securitywassoslack.Theywereobviouslyconfidentthattheywereunderno

threatofattack,andhehadmovedtoofasttobeovertakenbythediscoveryof

Shahkulu’scorpseandthoseofhisfellowtorturers.

He’dreplacedhishidden-bladewithhishookbladeandreloadedhispistol.He

gotinamongagroupofworkersandwatchedasabarrelwasmaneuvereddown

oneoftheropes,betweentwosetsofblocksandtackle.Aroundthem,hundreds

ofbarrelswerepiledontopofoneanother,andalongthewalls,woodencrates

ofmusketswereranged.

“Steady,now!Steady!”anoverseerwasshouting.“Thisisgunpowder,not

millet!”

“Gotit!”amanoperatingawinchcalledback.

Eziosurveyedhissurroundings,planning.Ifhecouldmanagetostartone

explosioninsuchawaythatitwouldleadtoachainreactionalongthethree

warehousevaultsheknewtheretobe...

Itmightjustwork.

Asherovedbetweenthehalls,blendinginwiththeworkers,helistened

carefullytotheirconversation,totesttheirmood.Andindoingso,hediscovered

thatnotallByzantineswerevillains.Asusual,itwasjusttheoneswhoseegos

weretoobig,whoweretoohungryforpower,whoweretoblameforeveryone

else’smisfortune.

“Itcouldbeworse,youknow,”onewomanwassayingtoamalefellow

worker.

“Worse?Worsethanthis?”

“BettertheturbanoftheTurkthanthetiaraofthePope.AtleasttheOttomans

havesomerespectforourOrthodoxChurch.”

“Shh-h!Ifanyoneheardyou...!”warnedanotherwoman.

“She’scrazy!”Themanturnedtothefirstwoman.“Listentoyourself!”

“OK,soI’mcrazy.Andifyoupreferforcedlabor,livingundergroundlikea

mole,thenfine!”

Themanconsideredthis.“Well,it’scertainlytruethatIdon’twanttogoto

war.Ijustwanttofeedmyfamily.”

Anotherman,anoverseerdressedinTemplaruniform,hadoverheardthis,and

putin,notaltogetherunsympathetically:“Noonewantswar,friend—butwhat

canwedo?Lookatus!Lookhowwelive!ThoseTurkstookourland.Doyou

thinkweshouldjustrolloverwithoutafight?”

“No,no,”saidthefirstmantospeak.“Ijust—Idon’tknow.I’mjusttiredof

this.We’reallsotiredoffighting!”

Amentothat,thoughtEzio,asheslippedawaybetweentwotwenty-foot-high

tiersofbarrels.



Oncehewasalone,hebroachedabarrelatgroundlevelwiththepointofhis

scimitarand,aftercollectingastreamofpowderinaleatherpouch,laidatrail

downtheaislebetweentherowsofbarrelstotheentranceofthesecondhall.He

didthesamethingthere,andinthethirdhall,untilthetrailreachedthearched

doorleadingoutofit.Thenhewaitedpatientlyuntilalltheordinaryworkershad

movedoutofharm’swayforthenight.

Onlytheguardsremained.

Eziomadesurehisretreatwasassured,tookupapositionafewyardsfrom

theexit,unleashedhispistol,andfiredintothenearestbarrel.Thenheturned

andran.

Thetitanicserialexplosionsthatfollowedrockedthefoundationsofthe

undergroundcitylikeanearthquake.Ceilingscrumbledandfellbehindhimas

hefled.Everywhere,therewassmoke,dust,rubble,andchaos.

SIXTY-THREE

EzioreachedthegreatchamberontheSecondLevelataboutthesametimeas

Manuel,whostumbledin,surroundedbyalargeforceofcrackguards.Ezio

concealedhimselfbehindabuttress,watched,andwaited.Hewasgoingto

finishthingstonightifhecould.Andhe’dseenthatManuelwasholdingthe

missingMasyafkey—theonetheTemplarshadunearthedbeneaththePalaceof

Topkapi.Ifhehadthatwithhim,thenthewould-benextemperorofByzantium

mustbeplanninghisescape.

“Whatthehellisgoingon?”bellowedManuel,halfinanger,halfinfear.

“Sabotage,Manuel,”saidaTemplarcaptainathiselbow.“Youneedtotake

cover.”

Acrowdofbawling,panickypeoplehadfilledoneendofthechamberby

then.EziowatchedManuelashestuffedthekeyintoasatchelhehadslung

aroundhiscorpulentbody,andelbowedtheTemplarofficeraside.“Getoutof

myway,”hesnapped.

Heclamberedupontoapodiumandaddressedthecrowd,whichEziojoined,

edgingthroughthethrong,everclosertohisquarryasManuelspoke.

“Citizens!”Manuelsaidinahighvoice.“Soldiers!Composeyourselves.Do

notgiveintofear!WearethetrueshepherdsofConstantinopolis.Wearethe

lordsofthisland.WeareByzantines!”Hepausedforeffect,butifhe’dhoped

forapplause,therewasnone.Soheplowedon.“Kouráyo!Havecourage!Stand

fast!Donotletanyonebreakyour—”

Hebrokeoff,ashenoticedEzioapproaching.Somesixthsensemusthave

triggeredanalarmwithinhim,forhesworesharplytohimselfandjumped

nimblyfromthepodium,hurryingawaytowardanexitatthebackofthehall,

yellingtohisbodyguardsashedidso,“Stopthatman!Thetalloneinthe

peakedhood!Cuthimdown!”

Eziothrusthiswaythroughtheconfusedmobandstartedoffinpursuitof

Manuel,dodgingandknockingdownTemplarguardsashedidso.Atlasthe

wasfreeofthemandriskedaglancebehindhim.Theywereasconfusedasthe

townsfolk,lookingineverydirectionbuttheoneinwhichhe’dgone,shouting

challenges,barkingorders,andrunningoffdeterminedlybeforechecking

themselves.Manuelhimselfhadscuttledofftoofastforanyofhismentohave

hadtimetofollowhim.OnlyEzio’ssharpeyeshadnotlethimoutofhissight.

Forsuchaportlyperson,Manuelcouldcertainlymove.Eziorusheddowna

long,dimlylitcorridor-street,pausingonlytoglancedownsideturningsto

assurehimselfthathisquarryhadnotturnedoff;thenhecaughtaglimpse,far

upahead,ofashimmeringsilkrobecatchingthetorchlightasManuelscrambled

upanarrowstonestairwaycutintotherock,ascendingtotheFirstLevel.The

manwhowouldbekingwasseekingthequickestwayout,hismunitionsgone

andhisarmyincompletedisarray.

Eziostormedafterhim.

Hecorneredhimatlastinanemptyhouse,carvedoutofthelivingrockonthe

FirstLevel.Manuelturnedtofacehimwithacurioussmileplayingonhis

lasciviouslips.

“AreyouherefortheMasyafkey?”heasked.“Isthatit?Haveyoucometo

robusoftwoyearsofeffort—torecoverwhattheAssassinsthrewaway?”

Eziodidnotreplybuteyedhimwarily.Therewasnotellingwhattricksthis

manmightstillhaveuphissleeve.

“Youwagealosingbattle,Assassin!”Manuelcontinued,thoughsomethingof

desperationwascreepingintohisvoice.“Ournumbersaregrowing,andour

influenceisexpanding.Wearehiddeninplainsight!”

Eziomadeastepcloser.

“Stopandthinkforamoment,”Manuelsaid,holdingupaberingedhand.

“Thinkaboutthelivesyouhavedisruptedtoday—theanarchyyouhavesown

here!You!Youtakeadvantageofapooranddisplacedpeople,usingusto

furtheryourownvainquest!Butwefightfordignity,Assassin!Wefightto

restorepeacetothistroubledland.”

“Templarsarealwaysquicktotalkofpeace,”Ezioreplied.“Butveryslowto

concedepower.”

Manuelmadeadismissivegesture.“Thatisbecausepowerbegetspeace.

Idiot!Itcannothappeninreverse.Thesepeoplewoulddrownwithoutafirm

handtoliftthemupandkeeptheminline!”

Eziosmiled.“AndtothinkyouarethemonsterIcameheretokill.”

Manuellookedhimintheeye,andEziohadthedisquietingimpressionthat

themanwasresignedtohisfate.Therewasacuriousdignityabouttheplump,

dandifiedfigure,withhisflashingjewelsandhisbeautifullytendedmustache.

EziounleashedhisbladeandstabbedManueldeepinthechest,findinghimself

helpingthemandownashesanktohisknees.ButManueldidn’tfall.He

supportedhimselfonthebackofastonebenchandlookedatEziocalmly.When

hespoke,hisvoicesoundedexhausted.

“IshouldhavebeenConstantine’ssuccessor.Ihadsomanyplans.Doyou

knowhowlongIwaited?”

“Yourdreamdieswithyou,Manuel.Yourempirehasgone.”

Thoughclearlyinpain,Manuelmanagedtosoundamused.“Ah,butIamnot

theonlyonewiththisvision,Assassin.ThedreamofourOrderisuniversal.

Ottoman,Byzantine...theseareonlylabels,costumesandfa-çades.Beneath

thesetrappings,allTemplarsarepartofthesamefamily.”

Eziofoundhimselflosingpatience,andhewasawareoftimepassing.Hewas

notoutoftherehimself,yet.“Enoughprattling.IamherefortheMasyafkey.”

HestoopedandtookthesatchelManuelstillhadslungroundhisshoulder.

Manuelsuddenlylookedmucholderthanhisfifty-eightyears.“Thentakeit,”he

saidinpainedamusement.“Takeitandseekyourfortune.Seeifyougetwithina

hundredleaguesoftheMasyafArchivebeforeoneofusfinishesyouoff.”

Thenhiswholebodystiffened,andhestretchedhisarmsasifwakingfrom

sleep,beforepitchingforwardintoablacknesswithoutdimensionandwithout

sound.

Eziolookedatthebodyforamoment,thinkinghisownthoughts,thenrifled

swiftlythroughManuel’ssatchel.Hetooknothingbutthekey,whichhe

transferredtohisownsidepouch,throwingthesatcheldownbyManuel’sside.

Thenheturnedtogo.

SIXTY-FOUR

TheupperlevelsoftheundergroundcityhadbeensealedoffbyTemplarand

Byzantinetroops,loyaltotheirofficersandunsureofwhatmighthappennext.It

wouldnotbelongbeforeManuel’sbodywasdiscovered,andEziodecidedthat

hisbest—andperhapshisonly—meansofescapewouldbebywayofthe

undergroundriversystemthatoccupiedtheEleventhLevelofthecomplex.

ThelowerlevelsoftheDerinkuyuwerelikeahellonearth.Smokeandfumes

filledtheundergroundstreets,andfireshadbrokenoutinpocketsonlevelsboth

belowandabovethewarehouseswhereEziohaddestroyedManuel’sarmory

andmunitionsdump.Fallenceilingsandwallshadblockedmanyroutes,and

Eziohadtomakefrequentdetours.Severaltimes,ashepassedpilesofrubble,

hecouldseeprotrudingfromthedebristhelimbsofthosecrushedbycollapsing

stonework.Hetried,andfailed,toclosehismindtotheconsequencesofwhathe

haddone.Soldiersandcitizensalikewanderedaboutinakindofdaze,scarves

andhandkerchiefspressedtotheirfaces,eyesstreaming.Ezio,himselffighting

tobreatheattimes,doggedlypressedondownwardbyaseriesoframps,

corridors,andstairwayscutintotherock,untilhereachedthelowestlevelofall.

Itwasclearerhere,andthedanksmellofwaterinaconfinedspacehadbegun

toreachhimevenashearrivedattheNinthLevel.

Becauseofthetumultandconfusioncausedbytheexplosions,Eziohadbeen

abletopassthroughthecityunmolested,andhestoodaloneonajettybyan

artificialundergroundlake.Farawaytowhatheimaginedmustbethesouth,for

itwasdifficulttokeepone’sbearingsdownthere,hesawaglimmeroflight

wheretheriverfeedingthelakeledawayfromitagaintowardtheopenair.It

hadtobealongwayawayandfardownhillfromthesiteofDerinkuyu,butEzio

hadnotimetoponderthis,because,settingofffromanotherjettyperhapstwenty

yardsdistant,hesawaraft,mannedbyahalfdozenByzantinesailors.Butitwas

thepassengerwhoreallycaughtEzio’sattention.Anelegant,beardedman

standingontheafterdeck.

PrinceAhmetOsman.

AhmethadseenEzio,too,anddirectedhisoarsmentomaketheirwaytoward

him.Whenhecamewithinspeakingrange,hecalledmockinglytotheAssassin.

“PoorManuel.ThelastofthePalaiologi.”

Eziowastoosurprisedtospeakforamoment.Thenhesaid:“Newstravels

fast.”

“TheAssassinsaren’ttheonlyoneswithspies.”Heshrugged.“ButIshould

nothaveleftManuelinchargeofourMasyafexpedition.Hewasanarrogant

man.Impossibletokeepinline.”

“Youdisappointme,Ahmet.WhytheTemplars?”

“Well,Ezio—orshouldIkeepupthepretenseandcontinuetocallyou

‘Marcello’?—itislikethis:Iamtiredofallthepointlessbloodfeudsthathave

pittedfatheragainstsonandbrotheragainstbrother.Toachievetruepeace,

mankindmustthinkandmoveasonebody,withonemastermind.”Hepaused.

“ThesecretsintheGrandTemplewillgiveusjustthat.AndAltaïrwillleadusto

it.”

“Youdeludeyourself!Altaïr’ssecretsarenotforyou!Andyouwillneverfind

theGrandTemple!”

“We’llsee.”

EzionoticedthatAhmetwaslookingpasthim,and,turning,hesawanumber

ofByzantinetroopsedgingtowardwherehestoodonthejetty.

“Inanycase,Iamnotinterestedinarguingmoralsandethicswithyou,

Assassin.IamherefortheMasyafkeys.”

EziosmiledmockinglyandproducedthekeyhehadjusttakenfromManuel,

holdingitup.“Doyoumeantosaytherearemorethanjustthisone?”

“SoIhaveheard,”repliedAhmet,urbanely.“ButperhapsIshouldask

someonewhomaybeevenbetterinformedthanyou.SofiaSartor.HaveIgotthe

nameright?”

Eziowasimmediatelytroubledthoughhetriednottoletitshow.“Sheknows

nothing!Leaveherbe!”

Ahmetsmiled.“Weshallsee.”

Hemotionedtohismen,whostartedtosteertheraftaway.

“Iwillkillyouifyoutouchher.”

“Iknowyou’lltry,mydearEzio.ButIdoubtifyou’llsucceed.”Heraisedhis

voice,addressingthemenonshore.“Killhimnowandgetthekey.Thenbringit

tomeimmediately.”

“Won’tyoustayandwatchtheshow?”saidEzio,coldly.

“Ihavefartoomuchrespectformyownsafety,”repliedAhmet.“Iknowyour

reputation,andI’veseenanexampleofyourworkheretoday.Cornered,asyou

are,Iimagineyou’redoublydangerous.Besides,Idetestviolence.”

Theraftsailedoff,leavingEziotofacetheByzantinetroopsrangedagainst

him.Heconsideredhisoptions.

Buttherewerenooptions.

Hewasattheendofthejetty,withnomeansofretreat,andtherewasnoway

hecouldmakeanescapebyswimming.Theremusthavebeentwentyorthirty

ofthem.Somecarriedmusketsthathadescapedhisdestructionofthe

warehouses.Thecaptainofthedetachmentcameclose.

“Giveusthekey,kyrie,”hesaidsarcastically.“Idonotbelieveyouhavea

choice.”

Musketeersflankinghimraisedtheirweapons.

Eziolookedatthem.Thistimeheknewhewasbeaten.Hehadhispistol,

capableoftwoshotsatmost,hishidden-blade,andhisscimitar.Butatthevery

momentevenhecouldmakehisquickestmove,themusketswouldsendtheir

ballsstraightthroughhim.Perhapsthey’dfireanyway.Itwouldbethesimplest

waytogetthekey.Maybehe’dhavetimetohurlitintothelakebeforehefell.

EziocouldonlypraythatYusufwouldneverlettheotherfourkeysfallinto

TemplarhandsandthatSofiawouldbesparedneedlesstorture,forhehadkept

herignorantoftheirwhereaboutsforsafety’ssake.

Buthehadclearlynotbeencarefulenough.

Well,everyone’sroadhadtoendsomewhere.

Thecaptainraisedhishand,andthemusketeers’fingerscurledaroundtheir

triggers.

SIXTY-FIVE

Themusketsfired.Eziothrewhimselfflatonthejetty.

ArrowsfrombehindandabovethemfellontheByzantinesoldierslikerain.

Inseconds,allPrinceAhmet’ssoldierslaydeadorwoundedbythelake’sedge.

OneballhadsearedEzio’shood,butotherwisehewasunscathed,andhe

thankedGodthatagehadn’tslowedhisreactions.Whenhegottohisfeet,itwas

toseeDilarastandingattheotherendofthejetty.Fromvantagepointsatthetop

ofthestairwaythatleddowntoit,hermenweredescending,andthosewho’d

alreadyreachedgroundlevelweremovingamongtheByzantines,checkingthe

deadandtendingthewounded.

“Can’tleaveyoualoneforaminute,”saidDilara.

“Soitwouldseem,”saidEzio.“Thankyou.”

“Getwhatyoucamefor?”

“Yes.”

“Thenwe’dbettergetyououtofhere.You’veraisedhell,youknow.”

“Lookslikeit.”

Sheshookherhead.“It’lltakethemyearstorecoverfromthis.Iftheyrecover

atall.Butthere’senoughkickleftinthemtosendyouflyingiftheyfindyou.

Comeon!”

Shestartedbackupthestairs.

“Wait!ShouldItakeaboatoutofhere?”

“Areyoumad?They’llbewaitingforyouwheretherivercomesoutintothe

open.It’sanarrowgorge.You’dbedeadmeatinamoment,andIdon’twantto

seemyworkherewasted.”

Eziofollowedherobediently.

Theyclimbedbackupthroughseverallevels,thentookastreetwindingaway

tothesouth.Thesmoketherehadclearedsomewhat,andthepeoplewhowere

aboutweretoopreoccupiedwithputtingoutfirestopaythemmuchattention.

Dilarasetaverybriskpace,and,beforelong,they’darrivedatagatewaysimilar

totheoneEziohadopenedonthewestsideofthecity.Dilaraproducedakey

andopenedtheironcladwoodendoor.

“I’mimpressed,”saidEzio.

“Soyoushouldbe.TelltheminKostantiniyyethattheycanresteasythattheir

peopleherearedoingagoodjob.”

Eziosquintedagainstthesunlightthatpouredinthroughthedoor,which

seemedblindingafterthedimnessoftheundergroundcity.Buthesawaroad

windingawaytothesouth,withthedismallittlevillageofNadarimhunchedin

itspath.

“Yourhorseissaddledandfreshlyfedandwateredinthestablesthere.Food

anddrinkinthesaddlebags.Youcanpickherupwithoutdanger.Thevillagehas

beenliberated,andthey’vealreadystartedwhitewashingthebuildings—Allah

knowsitneededcheeringup,andnowit’sbrokenfreeofitsoppressors,”said

Dilara,hernostrilsflaringintriumph.“Butgetoutofherenow.Itwon’tbelong

beforenewsreachesAhmetofwhat’shappened.Hewon’tdarecomeback

himself,ofcourse,butyoucanbesurehe’llsendsomeoneafteryou.”

“Hashegotanyoneleft?”

Dilarasmiled—alittletightly,butshedidsmile.“Goon,go.Youshouldbe

abletomakeNigdebytheendoftheweek.You’llbebackinMersinbythefull

moonifnobodycutsyoudownontheway.”

“Aheadofschedule.”

“Congratulations.”

“Whataboutyou?”

“Ourworkhereisn’tfinished.Inanycase,wedon’tmovewithoutadirect

orderfromKostantiniyye.GivemyregardstoTarik.”

Eziolookedatheringrimsilenceforamoment,thensaid,“I’lltellthemat

theSublimePortehowmuchtheyowetoyou.”

“Youdothat.AndnowI’vegottogetbacktomymenandreorganize.Your

littlefireworksdisplaywreckedourheadquarters,amongotherthings.”

Eziowantedtosaysomethingmore,butshehadalreadygone.

SIXTY-SIX

Thejourneybacktothecoastwasfastandmercifullyuneventful.

“You’reearly,”saidPiriReis,whenEzioappearedatthefootofthe

gangplankofthereddhow.

“Andit’sgoodthatIam.WemustreturntoKostantiniyyeassoonas

possible.”

“Doyouhavethefifthkey?”

Eziosmiledandpattedthepouchathisside.

“Itiswell,”saidPiri,returninghissmile.“AndManuel?”

“Manuelwilltroubleusnomore.”

“Betterandbetter.Theywillmakeyouasövalyeatthisrate.”

“Butthebattleisfarfromwon.Wemustmakehaste.”

“Theshiphastobevictualed,andwemustwaitforafavorabletide.Butwe

candealwithonewhileweattendtheother.”Piriturnedandissuedterseorders

totheship’smaster,whohadjoinedthem.“Thecrewwillhavetoberoundedup

aswell.WedidnotexpectyoutofinishyourbusinessatDerinkuyuquiteso

fast.”

“Iwasfortunateinhavingextraordinarilygoodassistance.”

“IhaveheardofthechiefofspiesputinplacetherebytheSublimePorte.Her

reputationgoesalwaysbeforeher,”saidPiri.

“ThenIhavereasontothanktheOttomangovernment.”

“UnderBayezid,theSublimePortehasbecomeamodelofpractical

administration.Itisfortunatethatitcontinuestooperateunhinderedbythe

squabblesoftheRoyalFamily.”

“Speakingofthem,IthinkwemustkeepacarefuleyeonAhmet,”Eziosaid

quietly.“Ihavediscoveredthathehassomeveryundesirablefriends.”

“TheAssassinsshouldnotmeddleinOttomanaffairs.”

“ThesefriendsofAhmet’smakethoseaffairsours,too.”

Piriraisedaneyebrowbutsaidnomoreonthesubject.“Yourcabinisready

foryou,”hesaid.“Nodoubtyouwillwishtorestuntilwearereadytosail.”

Oncealone,Eziodivestedhimselfofhisequipmentandcleanedandhonedhis

arms.Then,whenallwasinreadiness,hesecuredthecabindoor,tookoutthe

fifthkey,andplaceditonthefoldawaytable,seatinghimselfbeforeit.Hewas

curioustoseewhetheritwouldbehaveinthesamewayastheothers.Heneeded

toknowwhatmoreofAltaïritmightimpart,especiallyashehadnomeansof

tellingwhetherithadperformedanykindofmysticalrevelationtotheTemplars

whohadfirstdiscoveredit.Whatknowledgemightitalreadyhaveimpartedto

them?Orhaditsomepowertoknow,asitwere,whentospeakandwhentobe

silent?

Hismindwastroubled,too,bythoughtsofSofia,andhewasimpatienttobe

backinConstantinople.Toprotectherandtoensurethesafetyoftheotherfour

keys.Butforthemomenthehadtoforcehimselftobepatient,forhewasatthe

mercyoftheseaandthewind.

Thiskeywassimilartotheothers—theexactdiameterandproportionofits

fellows,decorated,astheywere,withstrange,indecipherablesymbolsandrutted

withprecisebutmysteriousgrooves.Hebracedhimselfandreachedouttotouch

it.Itdidnotdisappointhim.Soon,thesoftlightofthecabinseemedtosinkinto

furthergloom,and,bycontrast,theglowthatbegantoemanatefromthe

obsidiandiscgrewgreaterandgreater...

SIXTY-SEVEN

Ashewasdrawnintothescene—atonewithit,andyetnotpartofitatall,Ezio

knewthattenmoreyearshadpassedsincelasthewasatMasyaf.Hewatched

and,ashewatched,waslostintheeventsthatunfolded...



ThemenstoodinthesunlitinnerbaileyofMasyaf,undertheshadeofa

spreadingcinnamontreeofgreatage.

Altaïr,hisskinlikepaperandhisgauntframesoshroudedinhisclothesthat

onlyhisfaceandhislong,palehandswerevisible,stoodwithtwostocky

Venetiansintheirearlythirties.Theolderofthetwoworeacrestonhissleeve—

ablueshieldonwhich,inyellow,wasajugsurmountedbyasinglechevron,

overwhichthreepentanglestarsweresetinarow,thewholetoppedbyasilver

helm.Alittlewaybeyondwheretheywerestanding,alargenumberofAssassin

warriorswereintheprocessofpreparingforbattle.

TheMentortouchedtheman’ssleeveinafamiliar,friendlyway.His

movementswereperformedinthecarefulandprecisemanneroftheveryold,

buttherewasnothingofthefeeblenessyoumightexpectinamanofninety-one

winters,especiallyonefromwhomlifehadexactedsomuch.“Niccolò,”said

Altaïr.“WehavelongheldthePolofamily—youandyourbrotherhere—close

toourhearts,thoughourtimespenttogetherwas,Iknow,briefenough.ButI

havefaiththatthisCodex,whichInowplaceinyourhands,willanswerthe

manyquestionsyouhaveyettoask.”

Altaïrgesturedtoanaide,whosteppedforwardtoplacealeather-bound

volumeinNiccolòPolo’shands.

“Altaïr,”saidtheItalian.“Thisgiftis...invaluable.Grazie.”

Altaïrnoddedinacknowledgmentastheaidehandedhimasmallbag.“So,”

hesaid,turningbacktotheelderPolobrother,“wherewillyougonext?”

“MaffeoandIwillreturntoConstantinopleforatime.Weintendtoestablish

aguildtherebeforereturningtoVenice.”

Altaïrsmiled.“YoursonMarcowillbeeagertohearhisfather’swildstories.”

“Atthree,heisalittleyoungforsuchtales.Butonedaysoon,indeed,hewill

hearthem.”

TheywereinterruptedbythearrivalofDarim,whocamerushingthroughthe

innergatetowardthem.

“Father!AvanguardofHulagu’sMongolshasbrokenthrough!Thevillageis

threatened!”

Sosoon?Altaïrstiffened.HistonewhenhespokeagaintoNiccolòwas

urgent.“Niccolò—yourcargoandprovisionsarewaitingforyoubythevillage

gate.Wewillescortyouthere.Thenyoumustmakeallspeed.”

“Thankyou,Mentor.”

AltaïrthenturnedtotwoAssassinswhohaddetachedthemselvesfromthe

largergroup,allnowinfullreadinessforthebattleaheadandalreadyridingout.

“Preparethecatapults,”heordered,“andwatchformysignal.”

Theybowedtheirassentandranofftodoashebid.

“Stayclose,”AltaïrcommandedthePolobrothers.

“Wemustmakeourwaytothevillageimmediately,Father,”Darimsaid.“I

thinkyouhadbetterremainwithNiccolòandMaffeo.Iwillclearthepath

ahead.”

“Takecare,Darim.Andkeepaneyeonthetrebuchets.”Altaïrlookedoverto

wherethemassivesling-mountedcatapultswerebeingpulledintoplacebytheir

crews.

Darimsmiled.“Iftheyhitme,theywillhitadozenMongolsatthesame

time.”

“KhanHulaguisnotanenemytobetrifledwith.”

“Wearereadyforhim.”

Altaïrturnedtohisguests.“Come,”hesaid.

Theymountedthehorsesthathadbeenreadiedforthemandrodeoutofthe

fortressataneasypace,takingaroutewellclearofthemainbattle,whichhad

beenjoinedontheslopesofthenearbyfoothills.

“Willyouholdthem?”askedNiccolò,unabletodisguisethenervousnessin

hisvoice.

“Foraslongasnecessary,”Altaïrreassuredhim,calmly.“Ienvyyouyour

journey,”hecontinued.“Byzantiumisasplendidcity.”

Niccolòsmiled—abittightly,forhewasmorethanalittleawareofthedanger

theywerein,howeverlittlemindAltaïrseemedtobemakingofit.Buthe’d

beenintoughcornersbefore,andheknewwhatAltaïrwastryingtodo—make

lightofit.Heplayedthegame:“Youprefertheancientname,Isee.Haveyou

everbeenthere?”

“Longago.WhenyouVenetiansdivertedtheFrankishCrusaderstoattackit

insteadofJerusalem.”

“ConstantinoplewasVenice’sgreatesttraderivalthen.Itwasagreatcoup.”

“ItopenedEuropetotheeastinmorewaysthanone.”

“TheMongolswillnevergetthatfar,”saidNiccolò,buthisvoicewas

nervous.

Altaïrdidn’tpickhimuponthat.Instead,hesaid,“Thatlittleconflictin1204

preventedmefrombringingtheCreedtoEurope.”

“Well,withluck—andpatience—wewillfinishwhatyoustarted.”

“Ifyouhavethechance,theviewfromthetopofHaghiaSofiaisthebestin

thecity.”

“Howdoesonegettothetop?”

Altaïrsmiled.“Withtrainingandpatience.”Hepaused.“Itakeitthat,when

yougetawayfromhere,youwon’ttrytheoverlandroutethere?Thatyou’llbe

sailingtoByzantium?”

“Yes—asthesayinggoes.We’llridetoLatakiaandgetashipthere.Theroads

inAnatoliaarefoggedbymemoriesoftheCrusades.”

“Ah,”saidAltaïr,“thedeepestpassionscanbethemostdeadly.”

“Dovisitusifyouareable,Altaïr.Wewillhaveplentyofspaceforyouand

yourentourage.”

“No,”saidAltaïr.“Thankyou,butthatisnocountryforoldmen,Niccolò.I

willstayhere,asIalwaysmustnow.”

“Well,shouldyouchangeyoumind,ourdoorisalwaysopen.”

Altaïrwaswatchingthebattle.Thetrebuchetshadbeenbroughtintoplayand

foundtheirrange.ThestonestheywerehurlingintotheMongolrankswere

wreakinghavoc.

AriderdetachedhimselffromthemainbodyofAssassincavalryandcame

towardthematagallop.ItwasDarim.

“Wewillrestbrieflyatthevillage,”saidAltaïrtohimasherodeup.“You

seemtohavetheenemyincheck.”

“Butforhowlong,Father?”

“Ihaveeveryfaithinyou.Afterall,youarenotaboyanylonger.”

“Iamsixty-twoyearsold.”

“Youmakemefeelquiteancient,”Altaïrjoked.ButDarimcouldseethe

palloronhischeeksandrealizedhowtiredhisfatherreallywas.

“Ofcourse,wewillrest,andseeourfriendsoffproperly.”

Theyroderoundtothevillagestables,andthePolobrothersmadehasteto

transfertheirbelongingstothepackhorsesprovidedforthem,togetherwiththe

twofreshmountsfortheirjourneywestwardtothecoast.Altaïr,finallyableto

rest,slumpedalittleandleanedagainstDarimforsupport.

“Father—areyouhurt?”askedDariminavoiceofconcern.

Heescortedhimtoabenchunderatree.

“Givemeamoment,”pantedAltaïr,reluctanttogiveintothepainhefelt.He

satheavilyandtookabreath,lookingbacktothecastle.Anagedman,he

thought,wasnothingbutapaltrything,likeatatteredcloakuponastick;buthe

hadatleastlethissoulclapitshandsandsing.

“Theendofanera,”hewhispered.

Helookedathisson,andsmiled.

Thenhetookthebagtheaidehadhandedhimearlierandremovedits

contents.Fiveobsidiandiscs,intricatelycarved.Hestackedthemneatly.“When

Iwasveryyoung,”hesaid,“IwasfoolishenoughtobelievethatourCreed

wouldbringanendtotheseconflicts.”Hepaused.“IfonlyIhadpossessedthe

humilitytosaytomyself,Ihavedoneenoughforonelife.Ihavedonemypart.”

Withaneffort,herosetohisfeet.

“Thenagain,thereisnogreaterglorythanfightingtofindthetruth.”

Helookedacrossthevillage,andbeyondit,tothebattle.NiccolòPolocame

up.“Weareready,”hesaid.

“Alastfavor,Niccolò,”saidAltaïr,givinghimthestonediscs.“Takethese

withyouandguardthemwell.Hidethem,ifyoumust.”

Niccològavehimaquizzicallook.

“Whatarethese—artifacts?”

“Theyareindeedartifactsofakind.Theyarekeys,eachoneofthemimbued

withamessage.”

Niccolòexaminedoneclosely.Hewaspuzzled.“Amessage—forwhom?”

Altaïrtookthekeyinhishand.“IwishIknew...”

Heraisedthekeyhigh.Itbegantoglow.Heclosedhiseyes,lostin

concentration.

SIXTY-EIGHT

Eziooncemorebecameawareofwherehewas.Thelightinthecabinresumed

itsnormalcomfortabledimness.Hesmelledthecedarwoodofitswallsand

fittings,sawthedustmotesinthesunlightcomingthroughtheporthole,and

heardthesoundsofrunningfeetonthedecks,thecriesofthesailors,andthe

creakoftheyardsasthesailswerehoisted.

Theywereunderway.



Outatsea,theyoncesawthesailofaBarbarypirate,whichmadebothEzioand

PirithinkoftheiroldfriendAl-Scarab,butthepirateshipstoodoffanddidnot

attackthem.Formostofthefifteen-dayvoyagetheywerealoneonthewine-

dark,mackerel-crowdedwater,andEziospenthistimevainlyattemptingto

decipherthesymbolsonthekey,wishingSofiaweretheretohelphim,worrying

abouthersafety,andbecomingincreasinglyimpatienttoreachtheirgoal.

Butatlast,thedaydawnedwhenthedomes,thecloud-cappedtowers,the

walls,belltowers,andminaretsofConstantinopleappearedlowonthehorizon.

“We’llbetherebymidafternoon,”saidPiriReis.

“Thesoonerthebetter.”



Theportwasascrowdedasever,thoughitwasahumidandoppressiveday,and

siestatime.Therewasaparticularlydensemobaroundaherald,whostoodona

podiumattheshoreendofthemainquay.Hewasattendedbyasquadof

Janissariesintheirflowingwhiterobes.Whilethereddhowwasunloading,Ezio

walkedovertolistentowhatthemanhadtosay.

“CitizensoftheEmpire,andtravelersfromforeignlands,takeheed!Byorder

oftheJanissaries,newrestrictionsnowapplytoallwhotraveltoandfromthe

city.Iherebygivenoticethatarewardoftenthousandakçewillbegiven

withoutquestiontoanyonewhobringsininformationthatleadstothe

immediatearrestoftheAssassinAuditore,Ezio.”

EziolookedbacktoPiriReisandexchangedaglancewithhim.Piricame

overdiscreetly.

“Makeyourbestwayoutofhere,”hesaid.“Haveyouyourkeywithyou?”

“Yes.”

“Thentakeyourweaponsandgo.I’lltakecareoftherestofyourgear.”

Noddinghisthanks,Ezioslippeddiscreetlythroughthecrowdandintothe

town.



HemadehiswaybyanindirectroutetoSofia’sshop,checkingeverysooften

thathehadnotbeenfollowedorrecognized.Whenhewasclose,hestartedto

feelbothreliefandpleasurableanticipation.Butwhenheturnedthecornerof

herstreet,hewasbroughtupshort.Theshopdoorstoodwideopen,asmall

crowdwasgatherednearby,andagroupofYusuf’sAssassins,includingDogan

andKasim,stoodonguard.

Eziocrossedtothemquickly,histhroatdry.“Whatisgoingon?”heasked

Kasim.

“Inside,”saidKasim,tersely.Eziosawthatthereweretearsinhiseyes.

Heenteredtheshop.Inside,itlookedmuchasithadbeenwhenhelastleftit,

butonreachingtheinnercourtyard,hisheartallbutstoppedatthesightwhich

confrontedhim.

Lyingacrossabench,facedown,layYusuf.Thehiltofadaggerprotruded

betweenhisshoulderblades.

“Therewasanotepinnedtohisbackbythedagger,”saidDogan,whohad

followedhimin.It’saddressedtoyou.Hereitis.”HehandedEzioa

bloodstainedsheetofparchment.

“Haveyoureadit?”

Dogannodded.

“Whendidthishappen?”

“Today.Can’thavebeenlongagobecausetheflieshaven’treallygathered

yet.”

Ezio,caughtbetweentearsandrage,drewthedaggerfromYusuf’sback.

Therewasnofreshbloodtoflow.

“Youhaveearnedyourrest,brother,”hesaid,softly.“RequiescatinPace.”

Thenheunfoldedthesheet.Itsmessage,fromAhmet,wasshort,butitscontents

madeEzioseethewithrage.

MoreAssassinshadenteredthecourtyardnow,andEziolookedfromoneto

theother.

“WhereisSofia?”hesaid,throughhisteeth.

“Wedon’tknowwherehehastakenher.”

“Anyoneelsemissing?”

“WecannotfindAzize.”

“Brothers!Sisters!ItseemsasifAhmetwishesthewholecitytoriseagainst

uswhileYusuf’smurdererwatchesandwaitsintheArsenal,laughing.Fight

withme,andletusshowhimwhatitmeanstocrosstheAssassins!”

SIXTY-NINE

TheymadetheirwayenmassetotheArsenalandthere,innomoodtotrifle,

madeshortandbrutalworkoftheJanissaryguardloyaltoAhmet,whostood

watch.Ahmetcouldnothavebeenexpectingsuchasuddensurpriseattack,orhe

hadunderestimatedboththefuryandthestrengthoftheAssassins,whosepower

hadgrownsteadilyunderYusuf’scommand.

Eitherthat,orAhmetbelievedhestillheldthetrumpcards,forwhenEzio

corneredhim,heshowedlittlesignofalarm.

Ezio,sweptalongbyhisrage,onlymanagedtostophimselffromkillingthe

Ottomanprinceattheverylastmoment,throwinghimtothefloorandgripping

himbythethroat,butthendrivinghishidden-bladefuriouslyintothetiles,

inchesfromAhmet’shead.WithAhmetdead,he’dhavenomeansofrescuing

Sofia.Thatmuchhadbeenclearfromthenote.Butforaninstant,bloodhad

cloudedEzio’sjudgment.

Hisfacewasclosetotheprince’s.Eziosmelledthescentofvioletsonhis

breath.Ahmetreturnedhislividgazecalmly.

“Whereisshe?”Eziodemandedsternly.

Ahmetgavealightlaugh.“Suchwrath!”hesaid.

“Where—is—she?”

“MydearEzio,ifyouthinkyouareinapositiontodictateterms,youmayas

wellkillmenowandbedonewithit.”

Eziodidnotreleasehisgripforamoment,nordidheretractthehidden-blade;

butsecondslater,reasongotthebetterofhim,andhestoodup,flexinghiswrist

sothatthebladeshotbackintoitsharness.

Ahmetsatup,rubbinghisneck,butotherwiseremainedwherehewas,still

withalaughinhisvoice.Itwasalmostasiftheprincewereplayingan

enjoyablegame,Eziothoughtwithamixtureoffrustrationandcontempt.

“Iamsorryithadtocometothis,”saidAhmet.“Twomenwhoshouldbe

friends,quarrelingover—what?Thekeystosomedustyoldarchive.”

Hegottohisfeet,dustinghimselfoff,andcontinued:“Webothstrivetoward

thesameend,MesserAuditore.Onlyourmethodsdiffer.Doyounotseethat?”

Hepaused.Eziocouldguesswhatwascomingnext.He’dheardtheTemplars’

rationaleoftheirdictatorialambitionstoooftenbefore.“Peace.Stability.A

worldwheremenlivewithoutfear.Peopledesirethetruth,yes,butevenwhen

theyhaveit,theyrefusetolook.Howdoyoufightthiskindofignorance?”

Theprince’svoicehadgrownvehement.Eziowonderedifheactually

believedwhathewasspouting.Hecountered:“Libertycanbemessy,Principe;

butitispriceless.”Tohimself,hethought:Tyrannyisalwaysbetterorganized

thanfreedom.

“Ofcourse,”Ahmetreplied,drily.“Andwhenthingsfallapart,andthelights

ofcivilizationdim,EzioAuditorecanstandabovethedarkness,andsay

proudly:‘IstayedtruetomyCreed.’”Ahmetturnedaway,bringinghimself

undercontrol.“IwillopenAltaïr’sarchive,Iwillpenetratehislibrary,andIwill

findtheGrandTemple.And,withthepowerthatishiddenthere,Iwilldestroy

thesuperstitionsthatkeepmendivided.”

“Notinthislife,Ahmet,”Ezioreplied,evenly.

Ahmetsnortedimpatientlyandmadetoleave.Eziodidn’tattempttostophim.

Atthedoor,theprinceturnedtohimoncemore.“BringthekeystotheGalata

Tower,”hesaid.“Dothis,andSofiaSartorwillbespared.”Hepaused.“Anddo

notdelay,Ezio.Mybrother’sarmywillbeherebeforetoolong.Whenitarrives,

everythingwillchange.AndIneedtobereadyforthat.”

Withthat,Ahmetleft.Eziowatchedhimgo,signalingtohismennottohinder

him.

Histhoughtswereinterruptedbyapolitecoughbehindhim.Heturned—and

sawPrinceSuleimanstandingbeforehim.

“Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?”hedemanded.

“Longenough.Behindthatarras.Iheardyourconversation.Butthen,I’ve

hadmydearunclefollowedcloselyeversincehereturnedfromhislittletrip

abroad.Infact,I’vebeenkeepinganeyeonhimeversincehetriedtohaveme

killed—anattemptyousousefullyfoiledwithyourluteshard.”Hepaused.

“Nevertheless,Ineverexpectedtohear...allthis.”

“Andwhatdoyouthink?”

Suleimanponderedamomentbeforereplying.Thenhesaid,withasigh,“He

isasincereman;butthisTemplarfantasyofhisisdangerous.Itfliesintheface

ofreality.”Hepaused.“Look,Ezio.Ihavenotlivedlong,butIhavelivedlong

enoughtoknowthattheworldisatapestryofmanycolorsandpatterns.Ajust

leaderwouldcelebratethis,notseektounravelit.”

“Hefearsthedisorderthatcomesfromdifferences.”

“Thatiswhywemakelawstoliveby—akanunthatappliestoallinequal

measure.”

TheywereinterruptedbythearrivalofapatrolofJanissaryguardsthe

Assassinsoutsidehadletpass,sincethiscohortwasloyaltoSuleiman.Butwhen

theirlieutenantsawEzio,hedrewhisscimitar.

“Standback,myprens!”saidtheofficer,makingtoarrestEzio.

“Hold,soldier,”saidSuleiman.“Thismanisnotourenemy.”

Thelieutenantwaveredforamoment,thenorderedhismenout,mutteringan

apology.

SuleimanandEziosmiledatoneanother.

“Wehavecomealongwaysincethatfirstvoyage,”saidSuleiman.

“Iwasthinking,whatachallengeitwouldbe,tohaveasonlikeyou.”

“Youarenotdeadyet,friend.Perhapsyouwillyethaveasonworthyofyou.”

Suleimanhadstartedtotakehisleavewhenathoughtstruckhim.“Ezio,I

knowyouwillbeunderextremepressure,but—sparemyuncle,ifyoucan.”

“Wouldyourfather?”

Suleimandidnothesitate.“Ihadn’tthoughtaboutthat—but,no.”

SEVENTY

EziomadehiswaytotheIstanbulAssassins’headquartersatallpossiblespeed.

Oncethere,hetookthefourkeyshe’dalreadyretrievedinthecityandaddedthe

onehe’dtakenfromManuelinDerinkuyutotheirnumber.Packingthemsafely

inashouldersatchel,heslungitroundhim.Hestrappedhishookbladetohis

rightwristandhispistoltohisleft,and,incaseaquickescapefromthetopof

theTowershouldprovenecessary,placedLeonardo’sparachuteinabackpack.

ButbeforehewenttotheTower,therewasaquickdutyhehadtoperform.He

hastenedtotheGalatacemetery,whereYusuf’sbodyhadalreadybeentakenfor

burial.ItwasDoganwhohadtakenoverasactingcaptainoftheIstanbul

Assassins,andhesteppedforwardtogreetEzio.

“Mentor.”

“Mentor,”saidIrini,comingupinherturntosalutehim.

Ezioaddressedthembriefly,standingbythecoffin.“Nowshouldbeatimefor

remembranceandmourning,Iknow.Butourenemiesdonotpermitusthat

luxury.”HeturnedtoDogan.“IknowthatYusufthoughthighlyofyou,andI

findnoreasontoquestionhisjudgment.Doyouhaveitinyourhearttolead

thesemenandwomen,andtomaintainthedignityofourBrotherhood,asYusuf

didwithsuchpassion?”

“Itwouldbeanhonor,”Doganreplied.

“Asitwillcontinuetobeanhonortoworkforourcause,andtosupportthe

Creed,”saidEvraniki,whostoodbesidehim.

“Bene,”saidEzio.“Iamglad.”Hesteppedbackandlookedoverthe

buildingsthatsurroundedthecemetery,towheretheGalataTowerstood.“Our

enemyisclose,”hecontinued.“Whentheobsequiesaredone,takeupyour

positionsaroundtheTowerandthereawaitmycommand.”

Hehurriedaway.ThesoonerSofiawassafe,thebetter.



HecameuponAhmet,flankedbyasingleguard,onarampartneartheTower’s

foot.

“Whereisshe?”hedemanded.

Ahmetsmiledthatirritatingsmileofhis,andreplied.“Iadmireyou,Ezio;but

yourbloodlustmakesithardformetocallyouafriend.”

“Bloodlust?Thatisastrangeinsult,comingfromthemanwhoorderedan

attackonhisownnephew.”

Ahmetlostsomeofhissangfroid.“Hewastobekidnapped,Assassin;not

killed.”

“Isee.KidnappedbytheByzantines,sothathisunclecouldrescuehim,and

beheraldedahero.Wasthattheplan?”

Ahmetshrugged.“Moreorless.”

Thenhenodded.AtoncehalfadozenTemplarsoldiersappearedfrom

nowhereandsurroundedEzio.

“Now,MesserAuditore—thekeys,ifyouplease.”

Ahmetextendedhishand.

ButEziomadeasignalofhisown.BehindthesemicircleofTemplars,alarger

numberofAssassinsmaterialized,scimitarsintheirhands.“Thegirlfirst,”said

Ezioinacoldvoice.

Ahmetchuckled.“She’sallyours.”

Hemadeagestureskyward.Eziofollowedthedirectionofhisarmandsaw,

atopthetower,awomanstandingnexttoaguard,whowasclearlypoisedto

throwherovertheedge.Thewomanwaswearingagreendress,butherhead

wascoveredinaburlapsack.Shewasboundhandandfoot.

“Sofia!”Eziogaspedinvoluntarily.

“Tellyourmentobackoff!”snappedAhmet.

Fuming,EziosignaledtheAssassinstodoso.ThenhethrewAhmetthe

satchelcontainingthekeys.Hecaughtitadroitlyandcheckeditscontents.Then

hegrinned.“AsIsaid,she’sallyours!”

Withthat,hedisappearedfromtherampart,hismenfollowing.Heboardeda

waitingcarriage,whichspedoffthroughthecity,headingtowardtheNorth

Gate.

Eziohadnotimetowatchhimgo.HetookarunningjumpattheTowerand

beganhisascent.

Anxietyandangerspeededhim,andinamatterofminuteshewasonthe

topmostbattlement,atthesideofthewoman.Theguardbackedaway,toward

thestairwaywhichleddownward.

Ezioleaptforward,wrenchedthewomanbackfromtheedgeoftheTower,

andpulledthebagfromherhead.

ItwasAzize!

She’dbeengaggedtostophercryingoutanywarning,andnowEziotorethe

scarfawayfromhermouth.

“Tesekkür,Mentor.Çoktesekkürederim!”shegasped.

Theguardcackledandrushedawaydownthestairs.Hewouldmeetagrim

receptionatthebottom.

EziowasintheprocessoffreeingAzizefromherbondswhenhewas

interruptedbyawoman’sscream.Turningtolook,hesaw,onanother

battlement,notfardistant,thatatemporarygallowshadbeenerected.Onthe

scaffold,aropealreadyroundherneck,stoodSofia,poisedonastool.Ashe

watched,aByzantinesoldierreachedupandtightenedthenoosewithrough

hands.

EziogaugedthedistancebetweenthetopoftheGalataTowerandthe

battlementhehadtoreach.LeavingAzizetofreeherselffromtherestofher

bonds,heunslunghisbackpackandswiftlyassembledtheparachute.Amatterof

secondslaterhewasflyingthroughtheair,guidingthechutewithhisweight

towardthescaffold,wheretheByzantineshadkickedthestoolfrombeneath

Sofia’sfeetandtiedofftherope.Stillairborne,heunleashedhishookbladeand

usedittoslicethroughthetautropeinchesaboveSofia’shead.Helandedan

instantlaterandcaughtherfallingbodyinhisarms.

Utteringcurses,theByzantineguardsmadeoff.Assassinswereracing

throughthestreetsbetweentheGalataTowerandthisbattlement,butEziocould

seeByzantinescomingtowardthemtoblocktheirapproach.Hewouldhaveto

actalone.

ButfirstheturnedtoSofia,pullingtheropefromherneckwithfrantichands,

feelingherbreastriseandfallagainsthisown.

“Areyouhurt?”heasked,urgently.

Shecoughedandchoked,gettingherbreathback.“No,nothurt.Butvery

confused.”

“Ididn’tmeantodragyouintothis.Iamsorry.”

“Youaren’tresponsibleforothermen’sactions,”shesaid,hoarsely.

Hegaveheramomenttorecoverandlookedather.Thatshecouldbeso

rationalatsuchamoment...!“Allthiswillbe...behindus,soon.ButfirstI

mustrecoverwhattheyhavetaken.Itisofprimalimportance!”

“Idon’tunderstandwhat’shappening,Ezio.Whoarethesemen?”

Shewasinterruptedbyacannon’sblast.Momentslater,thebattlementthey

wereonshookwiththeimpactofatwenty-poundball.Sofiawasknockedtothe

groundasshatteredstoneworkflew.

Eziopulledhertoherfeetandscannedtheareabeneaththem.Hiseyeliton

anemptycarriageguardedbytworegularOttomantroops,whohadtakencover

immediatelywhenthegunfirestarted.

Hegaugedthedistanceagain.Wouldtheparachutetakebothherweightand

his?He’dhavetoriskit.

“Come!”hesaid,takingherinhisarmstightlyandleapingfromthe

battlement.

Foraterriblemoment,itlookedasiftheparachutewouldsnagonthe

crenellations,butitjustclearedthem,andtheydropped—veryfast,butstill

slowlyenoughtomakeasafelandingnearthecarriage.Eziofoldedthechute

andstuffeditintohispack,notbotheringtounclipit,andthetwoofthemmade

adashforthecarriage.EziohurledSofiaontothedriver’sseat,smackedoneof

thehorse’sflanks,andleaptonafterher.Heseizedthereinsanddroveawayat

breakneckspeed,theOttomanguardsshoutingvainlyforhimtostopasthey

pursuedonfoot.

Eziodrovehard,headingthroughtheGalataDistrictnorth,andoutofthecity.

SEVENTY-ONE

Theywerenotfarintothecountrysidewhen,ashe’dhoped,EziosawAhmet’s

carriagecareeringalongtheroadaheadofthem.

“Isthatwhoyou’reafter?”saidSofia,breathlessly.

Eziocrouchedforwardoverthereins.“That’shim.We’regainingonthem!

Hangon!”

Ahmethadseenthem,too,andleanedoutofhiswindow,shouting.“Well,

well!Youhavecometoseemeoff,haveyou?”

Thetwomenpostedonthebackouterseatofhiscarriagehadturnedround,

tryingtosteadythemselvesastheyaimedcrossbowsatEzioandSofia.

“Takethemdown!”orderedAhmet.“NOW!”

ButEziourgedhishorsesforwardandsoondrewabreastofAhmet’scarriage.

Inresponse,Ahmet’scoachmanswervedsothathecrashedintohispursuer.

Neithervehiclecapsized,butEzioandSofiawereflungbrutallysideways.Sofia

managedtohangontothesideoftheseat,butEziowasthrownclear,having

onlyjusttimetoseizeabaggageropethatwasattachedtothetopofthe

carriage.Hefelthimselfcrashontotheroadway,thenhewasbeingdragged

alongbehindhisowncoach,nowoutofcontrol,thoughSofiahadcaughtthe

reinsandstrovetopullthehorsesbackfromtheirfranticgallop.

Thisisbecomingahabit,thoughtEziogrimlytohimself,andhetriedtohaul

himselfuptherope.Butthecarriagetookaturn,andhewasthrownviolentlyoff

thetrack,narrowlymissingagnarledtreebythewayside.Heretainedhisgrip,

however,butrealizedhecouldgetnofartheruptheropeatthatspeed.

Grittinghisteethandholdingonwithonehand,hereachedbackwiththe

othertohispackandpulledouttheparachute.Theforceoftheairdrivingpast

themblewitopen,andtheclipthatheldittohispackheld.

Eziofelthimselfbeingliftedaloft,sailingbehindthecarriage,whichhad

fallenagaintotherearofAhmet’s,nowacceleratingawayfromthem.ButEzio

founditeasiertomaneuverhimselfdowntheropeeventhoughitwasastruggle

againstthepoweroftheflyingwind.Atlast,whenhewascloseenough,he

unleashedhishookbladeand,reachingupbehindhim,cuttheparachutefree,

landingwithacrashintheseatnexttoSofia.

“Jesusreallymustsmileonyou,”shesaid.

“You’vebroughtthehorsesundercontrol—fewpeoplewouldhavebeenable

todothat,”Ezioreplied,catchinghisbreath.“Perhapshesmilesonyou,too.”

Henoticedbloodonherdress.“Areyouhurt?”

“Ascratch.WhenIhitthesideoftheseat.”

“Staystrong!”

“I’mdoingmybest!”

“Doyouwantmetotakethereins?”

“Idaren’tletgoofthem!”

TheyweregainingonAhmetagain.

“Yourdeterminationwouldbecharming—ifitwerenotalsosoinfuriating!”

heyelledatthem.Evidently,hehadlostnoneofhisurbanitythroughtheperils

ofthechase.

Theywerehammeringtowardavillagewhere,astheycouldsee,aplatoonof

Ottomantroopswasstationed,guardingtheroadtothecity.Theyhadabarrier

inplaceacrossthethoroughfare,butitsarmwasraised.

“Stopthem!”Ahmetroaredashiscarriagepassedthebewilderedsoldiers

“Theyaretryingtoassassinateyourprince!”

Thesoldiershurriedtolowerthebarrier’sarmasSofiachargedtowardthem,

smashingthroughthebarrierandscatteringsoldierslikechickensinherwake.

“Sorry!”shecried,thenproceededtoknockdownawholerowofmarket

stallsliningthemainstreet.

“Oh!”shecalled.“Forgiveme!”

“Sofia,youmustbecareful,”Eziosaid.

“Idon’twantonesinglecrackoutofyouaboutwomendrivers,”shesnapped

back,herteethbaredastheircarriageclippedoneoftwopolessupportinga

banneracrossthestreet,bringingitdownontheheadsoftheinfuriatedvillagers

stormingintheirwake.

“Whatareyoudoing?”saidEzio,hisfacewhite.

“WhatdoyouthinkI’mdoing?Keepingusontrack!”

Meanwhile,Ahmet’scoachmanhadgainedground,andthefrontcoachwas

flyingoutofthevillageasAhmeturgedhismenon.Lookingback,Eziosaw

thatacavalrypatrolhadsetoffinpursuitofthem.Thecrossbowmenattheback

ofAhmet’scarriagewerebracingthemselvestotrytofireagain,andthistime

theysucceededingettingacoupleofshotsoff.OneboltgrazedSofia’sshoulder.

“Aië!”shecried.“Ezio!”

“Hangon!”Heranhisfingersovertheslightwound,touchingthesoftskin.

Despiteallthatwasgoingon,hefeltatingleinhisfingertips.Atinglehe’donly

feltoncebefore,duringanexperimentLeonardohadshownhim,whenhisfriend

wastinkeringaboutwithsomethinghe’dcalled“electricity.”

“It’sagraze,nothingserious.”

“It’sonegrazetoomany!Icouldhavebeenkilled!Whathaveyougotme

into?”

“Ican’texplainnow!”

“Typical!Anyexcuse!”

Ezioturnedinhisseatandscannedthecavalrymenridingbehind.“Getridof

them!”Sofiaimploredhim.

Heunleashedhispistol,checkedit,andtookcarefulaimatthefrontrider,

bracinghimselfagainstthejoltingandbuckingcarriage.Nowornever!Hetook

adeepbreath,andfired.

Themanflunguphisarmsashishorseswervedoutofcontrolacrossthepath

ofhisfollowers,andtherewasamightysnarl-upasseveralhorsescrashedinto

oneanother,stumblingandfalling,andbringingtheirridersdown,evenasthose

comingonfrombehindwereunabletoveer,andcannonedintotheturmoil

themselves.Inthecompletechaosofyellingmen,whinnyinghorses,anddust,

thepursuitcametoanabrupthalt.

“Gladyou’vemadeyourselfusefulatlast!”saidSofia,astheyspedaway

fromtheconfusionbehindthem.Butlookingahead,Eziocouldseethattheroad

ledthroughaverynarrowgorgebetweentwohighcliffsthatrearedoneither

side.

Ahmet’scarriagejustpassedbetweenthem.Buttheirownvehiclewaswider.

“Toonarrow!”breathedEzio.

“Braceyourself!”saidSofia,snappingthereins.

Theyflewintothegorgeattopspeed.Thebarerockflashedpastinchesfrom

Ezio’sshoulder.

Thentheywereouttheotherside.

“Eeah!”Eziogasped.

Sofiaflashedhimatriumphantgrin.

TheyhadjustcomecloseenoughtohearAhmetcursinghiscrossbowmen,

whohadmanagedtoreloadandfireagainbutwhoseboltsflewwellwide.

“Incompetentchildren!”hewashollering.“What’sthematterwithyou?

Wheredidyoulearntofight?”

Afteremergingfromthegorge,theroadwoundtothewest,andsoonthe

glitteringwatersoftheBlackSeawereinviewtothenorth,ontheirright.

“Shapeuporthrowyourselvesintotheocean!”Ahmetwasbellowing.

“Ohno,”saidEzio,lookingahead.

“What?”askedSofia.Thenshesawwhathe’dseen,andinherturn,shesaid,

“Oh,no.”

Anothervillage.And,beyondit,anotherOttomanguardpost.Anotherpole

acrosstheroad.

“Imustsayyou’vegotthosehorsesunderprettygoodcontrol,”saidEzio,

reloadinghispistolwithdifficultyasthecarriagebuckedandjumped.“Most

peoplewouldhavelostthembynow,andthey’dhavebolted.Notbadatall—for

aVenetian.”

“Youshouldseemehandleagondola,”saidSofia.

“Well,now’sthetimetoputthemthroughtheirpacesagain,”saidEzio.

“Justwatchme.”

Itwasmarketdaythere,too,butasthetwocarriagesshottowardthemthe

crowdpartedliketheRedSeadidforMoses.

“Sorry!”criedSofiaasafishstallcollapsedinherwake.Thenitwastheturn

ofapotterystand.Shardsfleweverywhere,andtheairturnedbluewiththe

trader’soathsandimprecations.

Nextthing,alivechickenlandedsquawkinginEzio’slap.

“Didwejustbuythis?”heasked.

“It’sadrive-through.”

“What?”

“Nevermind.”

ThechickenstruggledoutofEzio’sgrasp,peckinghimforgoodmeasure,and

halfflew,halfscrambledbacktotherelativesafetyoftheground.

“Lookout!Upahead!”Ezioshouted.

TheguardshadletAhmetthrough,butthey’dgottheirroadblockdown

behindhimthistime,andstoodready,pikesheldouttowardSofia’shorses.

Unpleasantlooksofanticipatedtriumphlituptheirmean,swarthyfaces.

“It’sridiculous,”saidSofia.

“Whatis?”

“Well,look—they’vegottheirroadblockinthemiddleoftheroadallright,

butthere’snothingbutbaregroundeithersideofit.Dotheytakeusforfools?”

“Perhapstheyarethefools,”saidEzio,amused.

ThenhehadtograbholdoftheseatfastasSofiapulledhardontheleftreins

anddraggedthehorsesinatightturn,togalloproundtheroadblock,leavingitto

theirright.Thenshehauledhardrightandregainedtheroadthirtyyardspastthe

soldiers,someofwhomhurledtheirpikesimpotentlyafterthem.

“Seeanycavalry?”askedSofia.

“Notthistime.”

“Good.”Shesnappedthereins,andonceagaintheybegantoclosethegap

betweenthemselvesandAhmet.

Buttherewasyetanothervillage,asmallone,upahead.

“Notagain!”saidSofia.

“Iseeit,”saidEzio.“Trytoclosewithhimnow!”

Sofiawhippedupthehorses,but,astheyreachedthehamlet,Ahmet’s

coachmancraftilyslowed.Thesoldiersonthebackseathadreplacedtheir

crossbowswithshort-poled,vicious-lookinghalberds,whoseaxeheadsgleamed

inthesun.Despitehereffortstoslowdown,too,Sofiacouldn’thelpdrawing

level,andAhmet’scoachmanmanagedtoveerandclipthemagain.Thistime,

hesucceededinthrowingtheircarriageoffbalance,anditbegantotopple.But

thecrashhadhadthesameeffectonAhmet’svehicle.

Atthemomentofcollision,Eziothrewhimselfoffhisseat,intotheair,and

landedontheroofofAhmet’scoach.Hewhippedoutthehookbladeandswung

itviolentlyatthetwosoldierstohisleft,slicingintoeachofthemandbringing

themdownbeforetheycouldbringtheirhalberdsintoplay.Thecoachmanhad

spurredhishorsesonagaininanefforttorighthiscarriage,whileSofia’shad

alreadycapsizedandcrashedashortwaybehindthem,inacloudofdust.They

wereatthesideofasharpdrop,andAhmet’swheelswentoverit,takinghis

carriagedowninturn.

Ezio,thrownclear,staggeredtohisfeetandlookedaround,buttheentire

scenewasobscuredbychokingdust.Confusedcriescamefromsomewhere—

probablythelocalinhabitants,forasthedustbegantoclear,Eziocouldseethe

coachman’sbodylyingproneamongsomerocks.

TherewasnosignofAhmet.

OrSofia.

Vainly,Eziocalledhername.

SEVENTY-TWO

Whenthedusthadsettledcompletely,Eziowasabletogethisbearings.The

startledvillagersstoodalittlewayoff,eyeingeachotheruncertainlyatthescene

ofthecrash.Ezio’sbalefulglarewasenoughtokeepthematbay,butheknew

he’dhavetoworkfast.Itwouldn’tbelongbeforetheOttomantroopsleftin

theirwakewouldregroupandfollow.

Hesurveyedthescene.Ahmetlayonhisbacksomedozenfeetfromthe

wreck.Hewasgroaning,clearlyingreatpain.Thesatchelcontainingthekeys

laynearby.Then,toEzio’sintenserelief,Sofiaappearedfrombehindapatchof

shrubbery.Shewasbruisedandshakenbutotherwiseunhurt.Theyexchangeda

reassuringlook,asAhmet,withaneffort,rolledhimselfontohisstomachand

pushedhimselfup.

Ezioscoopedupthesatchelandopenedit.Thekeyswereundamaged.

Eziolookedatthefallenprince.

“So—whatnow,Ezio?Howdoesthisend?”Ahmetsaid,catchinghisbreath

inpainashespoke.

SofiacameupbehindEzioandputahandonhisshoulder.

“Iamwonderingthatmyself,”EziotoldAhmet.

Ahmetbegantolaugh,andcouldn’tstop,eventhoughitclearlyhurthimtodo

so.Hemanagedtostruggletohisknees.“Well,ifyouhappentofindtheanswer

...”

Outofnowhere,halfadozenByzantinetroopsappeared.Theywereheavily

armedandtookupprotectivepositionsaroundtheprince.

“...doletusknow!”

Eziogrimaced,drawinghisswordandsignalingSofiatostepback.

“Youareafool,Ezio.DidyoureallythinkI’dtravelwithoutbackup?”

Ahmetwasabouttolaughagainbuthewascutoffbyahailofarrows,

seeminglycomingfromnowhere,whichstruckdownalltheByzantinesina

moment.OnearrowstruckAhmetinthethigh,andhefellback,howlinginpain.

Eziowasequallytakenaback.HeknewnoAssassinswereinthevicinity,and

therewasnowaythatanotherDilaracouldhavearrivedtorescuehim.

Hewhippedroundtosee,ashortdistanceaway,adozenJanissarycavalry,

fittingfresharrowstotheirbows.Attheirheadwasaregal-lookingmanof

aboutforty-five,dressedinblackandred,withafurcapeandaluxuriant

mustache.Hehelduphishand.

“Hold!”hecommanded.

TheJanissariesloweredtheirbows.

TheleaderandtwocaptainsdismountedandmadetheirwaytowardAhmet,

stillwrithingontheground.TheypaidlittleheedtoEzio,whowatchedwarily,

unsureofhisnextmove.HeexchangedanotherglancewithSofia,whodrew

closetohimagain.

Withasuperhumaneffort,Ahmetstruggledtohisfeet,seizingabroken

branchtosupporthimself.Hedrewhimselfup,butatthesametimegaveground

tothenewarrival.

Noticingthefamilyresemblancebetweenthetwomen,Eziobegantoputtwo

andtwotogether.Atthesametime,Ahmetbegantospeak,addressingthe

Janissariesinavoicehestruggledtokeepfirmandcommanding:“Soldiers!

Selimisnotyourmaster!Youservethesultan!Youcarryouthiscommand

alone!Whereishe?Whereisoursultan?”

Ahmethadbackedhiswaytoafenceontheedgeofthecliffoverlookingthe

sea,andthere,unabletogoanyfarther,hecollapsedagainstit.Theotherman

hadfollowedandstoodoverhim.

“Yoursultanstandsbeforeyou,brother,”saidtheman.Heputhishandson

Ahmet’sshouldersandleanedinclose,speakingquietly.“Ourfathermadehis

choice.Beforeheabdicated.Itwasthebestthing.”

“Whatareyougoingtodo,Selim?”Ahmetbabbled,noticingtheexpression

inhisbrother’seyes.

“Ithinkitwillbebesttoremoveallpossibilityoffurtherdissent,don’tyou?”

Selim’shandsleapttoAhmet’sthroat,forcinghimbackagainstthefence.

“Selim!Stop!Please!”Ahmetcried.Thenhestartedtochoke.

SultanSelimOsmanwasindifferenttohisbrother’scries.Infact,theyseemed

tourgehimon.EziosawthathewaspressingdownonAhmetwithfarmore

forcethanwasreallynecessary.Ahmetscrabbledathisbrother’sfaceinavain

attempttobeathimoff,andashedidso,thefence,whichhadbeenbuckling

alarminglyunderhisweight,finallycrackedandgave.Selimreleasedhisgripat

theverymomentthatAhmet,withahollowscreamoffear,fellbackwardover

thecliffanddowntotheblackrockstwohundredfeetbelow.

Selimstoodlookingovertheedgeforamoment,hisfaceimpassive.Thenhe

turnedback,andwalkedover,ataneasypace,towhereEzioremainedstanding.

“YoumustbetheAssassin,EzioAuditore.”

Ezionodded.

“IamSelim,Suleiman’sfather.Hespeaksquitehighlyofyou.”

“Heisaremarkableboy,Ekselânslari,withamagnificentmind.”

ButSelim’scordialityhadcometoanend.Hisaffabilityhadvanishedashis

eyesnarrowed,andhisfacegrewdark.Eziogotastrongsenseofthe

ruthlessnessthathadgotthismantothepositionofpowerhenowheld.“Letus

beclear,”saidSelim,hisfaceclosetoEzio’s.“Wereitnotformyson’s

endorsement,Iwouldhaveyoukilledwhereyoustand.Wedonotneedthe

influenceofforeignershere.Leavethislandanddonotreturn.”

Unabletorestrainhimself,Eziofeltrageriseinhimatthisinsult.Heclenched

hisfists,somethingthatdidnotgounnoticedbySelim,butinthatmomentSofia

savedhislifebyputtingarestraininghandonhisarm.

“Ezio,”shewhispered.“Letitgo.Thisisnotyourfight.”

Selimlookedhimintheeyeoncemore—challengingly.Thenheturnedand

walkedbacktowherehiscaptainsandhistroopofcavalrywerewaitingforhim.

Momentslater,theyhadmountedandriddenoffinthedirectionof

Constantinople.EzioandSofiawereleftwiththedead,andwiththegaggleof

gawpinglocals.

“No,itisnotmyfight,”Ezioagreed.“Butwheredoesoneend,andthenext

begin?”

SEVENTY-THREE

EziostoodonceagainatthefootofthegreatfortressofMasyaf.

Muchhadhappenedsincehehadlastbeenthere,and,inthewakeofOttoman

conquestsintheregion,thecastlewasdeserted.Asolitaryeagleflewoverhead,

buttherewasnosignofanyhumanactivity.Thecastlestoodaloneandsilent,

guardingitssecrets.

Hestartedupthelong,steeppaththatfollowedtheescarpmentslopingupto

theoutergates.Afterhehadbeenwalkingforsometime,hestoppedandturned,

concernedforhiscompanion,whohadfallenalittlewaybehind,outofbreath.

Hewaitedforherintheshadeofanancient,scarredtamarind.

“Suchaclimb!”pantedSofia,catchingup.

Eziosmiled.“Justimagineifyouwereasoldier,burdenedbyasuitofarmor,

ladenwithsupplies.”

“Thisistiringenough.Butit’smorefunthansittinginabookshop.Ijusthope

AzizeismanagingOKbackthere.”

“Havenofear.Here.”Hepassedherhiswatercanteen.

Shedrank,gratefully,thensaid:“Hasitbeendesertedlong?”

“TheTemplarscameandtriedtobreakintoitssecretplaces,buttheyfailed.

Justastheyfailed—intheend—tosecurethekeyswhich,together,wouldhave

giventhemaccess.Andnow...”

TheyweresilentforamomentasSofiatookinthegrandeurofher

surroundings.“Itissobeautifulhere,”shesaidatlast.“Andthisiswhereyour

Brotherhoodbegan?”

Eziosighed.“TheOrderbeganthousandsofyearsago,buthere,itwas

reborn.”

“Anditslevatricewasthemanyoumentioned—Altaïr?”

Ezionodded.“AltaïrIbn-La’Ahad.Hebuiltusup,thensetusfree.”He

paused.“Buthesawthefollyofkeepingacastlelikethis.Ithadbecomea

symbolofarrogance,andabeaconforallourenemies.Intheend,hecameto

understandthatthebestwaytoservejusticewastoliveajustlife.Notabovethe

peopleweprotectbutwiththem.”

Sofianodded,thensaid,lightly,“Andthemandateforthemenacinghoods—

wasthatAltaïr’sideaaswell?”

Eziolaughedsoftly.

“YoumentionedaCreed,earlier,”Sofiawenton.“Whatisit?”

Eziopaused.“Altaïrmadeagreat...study,throughoutthelatteryearsofhis

longlife,ofcertain...codes,whichwerevouchsafedhim.Irememberone

passageofhiswritingsbyheart.ShallItellyouit?”

“Please.”

“Altaïrwrote:Overtime,anysentenceutteredlongandloudenough,becomes

fixed.Provided,ofcourse,thatyoucanoutlastthedissentandsilenceyour

opponents.Butshouldyousucceed,andremoveallchallengers,thenwhat

remains?Truth!Isittruthinsomeobjectivesense?No.Buthowdoesoneever

achieveanobjectivepointofview?Theansweristhatonedoesn’t.It’sliterally,

physicallyimpossible.Toomanyvariables.Toomanyfieldsandformulaeto

consider.TheSocraticmethodunderstoodthis.Itprovidedforanasymptotic

approachtotruth.Thelinenevermeetsthecurveatanyfinitepoint.Butthevery

definitionoftheasymptoteimpliesaninfinitestruggle.Weinchcloserand

closertoarevelation,butneverreachit.Notever...AndsoIhaverealized

that,aslongastheTemplarsexist,theywillattempttobendrealitytotheirwill.

Theyrecognizethatthereisnosuchthingasanabsolutetruth,or,ifthereis,we

arehopelesslyunderequippedtorecognizeit.Andso,initsplace,theyseekto

createtheirownexplanation.Itistheguidingprincipleofwhattheycalltheir

NewWorldOrder:toreshapeexistenceintheir‘own’image.It’snotabout

artifacts.It’snotaboutmen.Thesearemerelytools.It’saboutconcepts.Clever

ofthem,forhowdoesonewagewaragainstaconcept?Itistheperfectweapon.

Itlacksaphysicalformyetcanaltertheworldaroundusinnumerous,often

violent,ways.YoucannotkillaCreed.Evenifyoukillallitsadherents,destroy

allitswritings—thatprovidesareprieveatbest.Someday,someday,weshall

rediscoverit.Reinventit.Ibelievethatevenwe,theAssassins,havesimply

rediscoveredanOrderthatpredatestheOldManoftheMountain...All

knowledgeisachimera.Itallcomesbacktotime.Infinite.Unstoppable.Itbegs

thequestion,whathopeisthere?Myansweristhis:Wemustreachaplace

wherethatquestionisnolongerrelevant.Thestruggleitselfisasymptotic.

Alwaysapproachingaresolutionbutneverreachingit.Thebestwecanhopefor

istosmooththelineabit.Bringaboutstabilityandpeace,howevertemporary.

Andunderstand,Reader,itwillalwaysandforeverbeonlytemporary.Foras

longaswecontinuetoreproduce,wewillgiverisetodoubtersandchallengers.

Menwhowillriseupagainstthestatusquofornootherreason,sometimes,than

thattheyhavenothingbettertodo.ItisMan’snaturetodisagree.Warisbutone

ofthemanywaysinwhichwedoso.Ithinkmanyhaveyettounderstandour

Creed.Butsuchistheprocess.Tobemystified.Tobefrustrated.Tobeeducated.

Tobeenlightened.Andthenatlast,tounderstand.Tobeatpeace.”

Eziofellsilent.Thenhesaid:“Doesthatmakesense?”

“Grazie.Yes,itdoes.”Shegazedathimashestood,lostinthought,hiseyes

onthefortress.“Doyouregretyourdecision?ToliveasanAssassinforso

long?”

Hesighed.“Idonotremembermakinganydecision.Thislife—itchoseme.”

“Isee,”shereplied,droppinghereyestotheground.

“ForthreedecadesIhaveservedthememoryofmyfatherandmybrothers,

andfoughtforthosewhohavesufferedthepainofinjustice.Idonotregretthose

years,butnow—”Hetookadeepbreath,asifsomeforcegreaterthanhimself

hadreleasedhimfromitsgrip,andhemovedhisgazefromthecastletothe

eagle,stillsoaring,soaring.“Nowitistimetoliveformyself,andletthemgo.

Toletgoofallofthis.”

Shetookhishand.“Thenletgo,Ezio.Letgo.Youwillnotfallfar.”

SEVENTY-FOUR

Itwaslateintheafternoonwhentheyarrivedattheouterbaileygate.Itstood

open,andalready,climbingplantswereweavingtheirwayarounditspillars.

Thewinchmechanismsabovewerefestoonedwithcreepers.Theycrossedtothe

innerbaileyandthere,too,thegateswereopen,andwithin,thecourtyard

showedsignsofahastydeparture.Ahalf-laden,abandonedsupplywagonstood

nearahuge,deadplanetreeunderwhichabrokenstonebenchrested.

Ezioledthewayintothekeepanddownastaircaseintothebowelsofthe

castle,carryingatorchtolightthemasheledthewaydownaseriesofdismal

corridors,until,atlast,theystoodbeforeamassivestonedoormadeofsome

smooth,greenstone.Itssurfacewasbrokenbyfiveslots,arrangedina

semicircleatshoulderheight.

Ezioputdownhispackandfromitproducedthefivekeys.

Heweighedthefirstoneinhishand.“Theendoftheroad,”hesaid,asmuch

tohimselfastoSofia.

“Notquite,”saidSofia.“First,wehavetodiscoverhowtoopenthedoor.”

Eziostudiedthekeysandtheslotsintowhichtheymustfit.Symbols

surroundingtheslotsgavehimhisfirstclue.

“Theymust—somehow—matchthesymbolsonthekeys,”hesaid,

thoughtfully.“IknowthatAltaïrwouldhavetakeneveryprecautiontosafeguard

thisarchive—theremustbeasequence.IfIfailtogetthatright,Ifearthedoor

mayremainlockedforever.”

“Whatdoyouhopetofindbehindit?”Sofiasoundedbreathless,almost—

awed.

Ezio’sownvoicehadsunktoawhisper,thoughtherewasnoonebutherto

hearhim.“Knowledge,aboveallelse.Altaïrwasaprofoundmanandaprolific

writer.Hebuiltthisplaceasarepositoryforallhiswisdom.”Helookedather.

“Iknowthathesawmanythingsinhislifeandlearnedmanysecrets,both

troublinganddeep.Heacquiredsuchknowledgeaswoulddrivelessermento

despair.”

“Thenisitwisetotapintoit?”

“Iamworried,itistrue.Butthen”—hecrackedasmile—“Iamnot,asyou

shouldknowbynow,alesserman.”

“Ezio—alwaysthejoker.”Sofiasmiledback,relievedthatthetensionhad

beenbroken.

Heplacedthetorchheheldinasconce,whereitgavethembothenough

illuminationtoreadby.Buthenoticedthatthesymbolsonthedoorhadbegunto

glowwithanindefinablelight,scarcelyperceptible,butclear,andthatthekeys

themselvesglowed,seeminglyinresponse.“Haveacarefullookatthesymbols

onthesekeyswithme.TrytodescribethemoutloudasIlookatthesymbolson

thedoor.”

Sheputonherglassesandtookthefirstofthekeyshegaveher.Asshespoke,

hestudiedthemarkingsonthedoorclosely.

Thenhegaveagaspofrecognition.“Ofcourse.Altaïrspentmuchtimeinthe

East,andgainedmuchwisdomthere.”Hepaused.“TheChaldeans!”

“Youmean—thismighthavesomethingtodowiththestars?”

“Yes—theconstellations.AltaïrtraveledinMesopotamia,wherethe

Chaldeanslived—”

“Yes,buttheylivedtwothousandyearsago.Wehavebooks—Herodotus,

DiodorosSiculus—thattellustheyweregreatastronomers,butnodetailed

knowledgeoftheirwork.”

“Altaïrhad—andhehaspasseditonhere,encoded.Wemustapplyourweak

knowledgeofthestarstotheirs.”

“Thatisimpossible!Weallknowthattheymanagedtocalculatethelengthof

asolaryeartowithinfourminutes,andthat’sprettyaccurate,buthowtheydidit

isanothermatter.”

“Theycaredabouttheconstellationsandthemovementoftheheavenly

bodiesthroughthesky.Theythought,bythem,theycouldpredictthefuture.

Theybuiltgreatobservatories—”

“Thatispurehearsay!”

“It’sallwehavetogoon,andlook—lookhere.Don’tyourecognizethat?”

Shelookedatasymbolengravedononeofthekeys.

“He’smadeitdeliberatelyobscure—butisn’tthat”—Eziopointed—“the

constellationofLeo?”

Shepeeredatwhathehadshownher.“Ibelieveitis!”shesaid,lookingup,

excited.

“Andhere”—Ezioturnedtothedoorandlookedatthemarkingsneartheslot

hehadjustbeenexamining—“here,ifIamnotmistaken,isadiagramofthe

constellationofCancer.”

“ButthatistheconstellationnexttoLeo,isn’tit?Andisn’titalsothesign

whichprecedesLeointheZodiac?”

“Whichwasinventedby—”

“TheChaldeans!”

“Let’sseeifthistheoryholdswater,”saidEzio,lookingatthenextslot.“Here

isAquarius.”

“Howapt,”Sofiajoked,butshelookedseriouslyatthekeys.Atlastsheheld

oneup.“AquariusisflankedbyPiscesandCapricorn,”shesaid.“Buttheone

thatcomesafterAquariusisPisces.Andhere—Ithink—itis!”

“Let’sseeiftheothersworkoutinasimilarway.”

Theyworkedbusilyandfound,afteronlyamatteroftenminutesmore,that

theirsuppositionseemedtowork.Eachkeyborethesymbolofaconstellation

correspondingtoasignoftheZodiac,andeachkeysigncorrespondedtoaslot

identifiedwithaconstellationimmediatelyprecedingitintheZodiaccycle.

“Quiteaman,yourAltaïr,”saidSofia.

“We’renotthereyet,”Ezioreplied.But,carefully,heputthefirstkeyinto

whathehopedwasitscorrespondingslot—anditfit.

Asdidtheotherfour.

Andthen—itwasalmostananticlimax—slowly,smoothly,andsoundlessly,

thegreendoorsliddownintothestonefloor.

Eziostoodintheentrance.Alonghallwayyawnedbeforehim,and,ashe

looked,twotorcheswithin,simultaneouslyandspontaneously,flaredintolife.

Hetookonefromitssconceandsteppedforward.Thenhehesitated,and

turnedbacktoSofia.

“Youhadbettercomebackoutoftherealive,”shesaid.

Eziogaveheramischievoussmileandsqueezedherhandtightly.“Iplanto,”

hesaid.

Hemadehiswayforward.

Ashedidso,thedoortothevaultslidclosedagain,sofastthatSofiahardly

hadtimetoreact.

SEVENTY-FIVE

Eziowalkedslowlydownthehallway,whichslopedeverdownwardand

broadenedoutasheprogressed.Hescarcelyhadneedofhistorchsincethe

wallswerelinedwiththem,andtheyflaredalight,bysomemysteriousprocess,

ashepassedthem.Buthehadnosenseofunease,ortrepidation.Inacurious

way,hefeltasifhewerecominghome.Asifsomethingwasnearingits

completion.

Atlength,thehallwaydebouchedintoavast,roundchamber,150feetacross

and150feethightothetopofitsdome,likethecircularnaveofsomewondrous

basilica.Inthebodyoftheroomtherewerecasesthatmustoncehavecontained

artifacts;buttheywereempty.Themultiplegalleriesthatranrounditwerelined

withbookshelfuponbookshelf—everyinchofeverywallwascoveredwith

them.

Ezionoticed,tohisastonishment,thateverysingleoneofthemwasempty.

Buthehadnotimetoponderthephenomenon,ashiseyewasdrawn

irresistiblytoahugeoakdeskonahighpodiumatthefarendoftheroom,

oppositetheentrance.Itwasbrightlylitfromsomewherefarabove,andthelight

fellsquarelyonthetallfigureseatedatthedesk.

AndEziodidfeelsomethinglikeawe,forinhisheartheknewimmediately

whoitwas.Heapproachedwithreverence,andwhenhedrewnearenoughto

touchthecowledfigureinthechair,hefelltohisknees.

Thefigurewasdead—hehadbeendeadalongtime.Butthecloak,andwhite

robes,wereundamagedbythepassageofcenturies,andeveninhisstillness,the

deadmanradiated—something.Somekindofpower—butnoearthlypower.

Ezio,havingmadehisobeisance,roseagain.Hedidnotdareliftthecowltosee

theface,buthelookedatthelongbonesoftheskeletalhandsstretchedouton

thesurfaceofthedesk,asifdrawntothem.Onthetable,therewasapen,

togetherwithblanksheetsofancientparchmentandadried-upinkwell.Under

thefigure’srighthandlayacircularstone—notunlikethekeysofthedoor,but

moredelicatelywrought,andmade,asEziothought,ofthefinestalabasterhe

hadeverseen.

“Nobooks,”saidEziointothesilence.“Noartifacts...Justyou,fratello

mio.”Helaidahanddelicatelyonthedeadman’sshoulder.Theywereinnoway

relatedbyblood,butthetiesoftheBrotherhoodboundthemmorestronglythan

thoseoffamilyevercouldhave.

“RequiescatinPace,OAltaïr.”

Helookeddown,thinkinghehadcaughtamovementoutofthecornerofhis

eye.Buttherewasnothing.Exceptthatthestoneonthedeskwasfreeofthe

handthatEziomusthaveimaginedhadcoveredit.Atrickofthelight.Nomore.

Ezioknewinstinctivelywhathehadtodo.Hestruckaflinttolightacandle

stumpinastickonthedesktostudythestonemoreclosely.Heputhisownhand

outandpickeditup.

Themomenthehaditinhishand,thestonebegantoglow.

Heraisedittohisfaceasfamiliarcloudsswirled,engulfinghim...

SEVENTY-SIX

“YousayBaghdadhasbeensacked?”

“Yes,Father.KhanHulagu’sMongolshavedriventhroughthecitylikea

conflagration.Noonehasbeenspared.Hesetupawagonwheelandmadethe

populationfilepastit.Anyonewhoseheadcamehigherthanthewheel’shub,he

killed.”

“Leavingonlytheyoungandmalleable?”

“Indeed.”

“Hulaguisnotafool.”

“Hehasdestroyedthecity.Burnedallitslibraries.Smashedtheuniversity.

Killedallitsintellectuals.Alongwiththerest.Thecityhasneverseensucha

holocaust.”

“Andneverwillagain,Ipray.”

“Amentothat,Father.”

“Icommendyou,Darim.ItiswellyoutookthedecisiontosailtoAlexandria.

Haveyouseentomybooks?”

“Yes,Father—thosewedidnotsendwiththePolobrothers,Ihavealready

senttoLatakiaonwagonsforembarkation.”

Altaïrsathunchedbytheopendoorwayofhisgreat,domedlibraryand

archive.Emptynow,sweptclean.Clutchedtohimwasasmallwoodenbox.

Darimhadmoresensethantoaskhisfatherwhatitwas.

“Good.Verygood,”saidAltaïr.

“Butthereisonething—onefundamentalthing—thatIdonotunderstand,”

saidDarim.“Whydidyoubuildsuchavastlibraryandarchive,oversomany

decades,ifyoudidnotintendtokeepyourbooks?”

Altaïrwavedaninterruptinghand.“Darim,youknowverywellthatIhave

longoutlivedmytime.Imustsoonleaveonajourneythatrequiresnobaggage

atall.Butyouhaveansweredyourownquestion.WhatHulagudidinBaghdad,

hewilldohere.Wedrovethemoffonce,buttheywillreturn,andwhentheydo,

Masyafmustbeempty.”

Darimnoticedthathisfatherhuggedthesmallboxevenmoretightlytohis

chestashespoke,asifprotectingit.HelookedatAltaïr,sofragileastoseem

madeofparchment;but,inside,toughasvellum.

“Isee,”hesaid.“Thisisnolongeralibrarythen—butavault.”

Hisfathernoddedgravely.

“Itmuststayhidden,Darim.Farfromeagerhands.Atleastuntilithaspassed

onthesecretitcontains.”

“Whatsecret?”

Altaïrsmiled,androse.“Nevermind.Go,myson.Goandbewithyour

family,andlivewell.”

Darimembracedhim.“Allthatisgoodinme,beganwithyou,”hesaid.

Theydrewapart.Then,Altaïrsteppedthroughthedoorway.Oncewithin,he

bracedhimself,strainingtopullalargeleverjustinside,upbythelintel.Atlast

itmovedand,havingcompleteditsarc,clickedintoplace.Slowly,aheavygreen

stonedoorrosefromthefloortoclosetheopening.

Fatherandsonwatchedeachotherwordlesslyasthedoorcameup.Darim

triedhardtokeephisself-control,butfinallycouldnotrestrainhistearsasthe

doorenvelopedhisfatherinhislivinggrave.Atlasthefoundhimselflookingat

whatwas,toallintentsandpurposes,ablanksurface,onlytheslightchangeof

colordistinguishingdoorfromwalls,thatandthecuriousgroovescutintoit.

Beatinghisbreastingrief,Darimturnedandleft.



WhowereThoseWhoCameBefore?thoughtAltaïr,ashemadehisway

unhurriedlydownthelonghallwaythatledtohisgreatdomedchamber

underground.Ashepassedthem,thetorchesonthewallslithisway,fueledbya

combustibleairthatledtothemfromhiddenpipeswithinthewalls,ignitedby

sprungflintsthatoperatedashisweighttriggeredcatchesunderthefloor.They

flaredforminutesbehindhim,thenwentoutagain.

WhatbroughtThemhere?WhatdroveThemout?AndwhatofTheirartifacts?

WhatwehavecalledPiecesofEden?Messagesinbottles?Toolsleftbehindto

aidandguideus?OrdowefightforcontroloverTheirrefuse,givingdivine

purposeandmeaningtolittlemorethandiscardedtoys?

Heshuffledondownthehall,clutchingthebox,hislegsandarmsachingwith

weariness.

Atlasthegainedthegreat,gloomyroom,andcrosseditwithoutceremony

untilhereachedhisdesk.Hereacheditwiththereliefthatadrowningmanfeels

whenhefindsaspartoclingtointhesea.

Hesatdown,placingtheboxcarefullybyhim,wellwithinreach,hardly

likingtotakehishandsfromit.Hepulledpaper,pen,andinktowardhim,

dippedthepen,butdidnotwrite.Hethoughtinsteadofwhathehadwritten—

somethingfromhisjournal.

TheAppleismorethanacatalogueofthatwhichprecededus.Withinits

twisting,sparkinginteriorIhavecaughtglimpsesofwhatwillbe.Suchathing

shouldnotbepossible.Perhapsitisn’t.Maybeitissimplyasuggestion.I

contemplatetheconsequencesofthesevisions:Aretheyimagesofthingsto

come—orsimplythepotentialforwhatmightbe?Canweinfluencethe

outcome?Darewetry?And,insodoing,dowemerelyensurethatwhichwe’ve

seen?Iamtorn—asalways—betweenactionandinaction—unclearastowhich

—ifeither—willmakeadifference.AmIevenmeanttomakeadifference?Still,I

keepthisjournal.Isthatnotanattempttochange—orguarantee—whatIhave

seen?...

Hownaïvetobelievethattheremightbeasingleanswertoeveryquestion.

Everymystery.Thatthereexistsalone,divinelightthatrulesovereverything.

Theysayitisalightthatbringstruthandlove.Isayitisalightthatblindsus—

andforcesustostumbleaboutinignorance.Ilongforthedaywhenmenwill

turnawayfrominvisiblemonsters,andoncemoreembraceamorerationalview

oftheworld.Butthesenewreligionsaresoconvenient—andpromisesuch

terriblepunishmentshouldonerejectthem—Iworrythatfearshallkeepusstuck

towhatistrulythegreatestlieevertold...

Theoldmansatforawhileinsilence,notknowingwhetherhefelthopeor

despair.Perhapshefeltneither.Perhapshehadoutgrown,oroutlived,both.The

silenceofthegreathall,anditsgloom,protectedhimlikeamother’sarms.But

stillhecouldnotshutouthispast.

Hepushedhiswritingmaterialsfromhimanddrewtheboxtohim,placing

bothhandsonit,guardingit—fromwhat?

ThenitseemedthatAlMualimstoodbeforehim.HisoldMentor.Hisold

betrayer.Whomhehadatlastexposedanddestroyed.Butwhenthemanspoke,

itwaswithmenaceandauthority:

“Inmuchwisdomismuchgrief.Andhethatincreasethknowledge,increaseth

sorrow.”Theghostleanedforward,speakingnowinanurgentwhisper,closeto

Altaïr’sear.“Destroyit!Destroyitasyousaidyouwould!”

“I—Ican’t!”

Thenanothervoice.Onewhichcaughtathisheartasheturnedtoit.Al

Mualimhaddisappeared.Butwherewasshe?Hecouldn’tseeher!

“Youtreadathinline,Altaïr,”saidMariaThorpe.Thevoicewasyoung,firm.

Asithadbeenwhenhe’dmether,sevendecadesago.

“Ihavebeenruledbycuriosity,Maria.Asterribleasthisartifactis,itcontains

wonders.Iwouldliketounderstand,asbestIcan.”

“Whatdoesittellyou?Whatdoyousee?”

“Strangevisionsandmessages.Ofthosewhocamebefore,oftheirrise,and

theirfall...”

“Andwhatofus?Wheredowestand?”

“Wearelinksinachain,Maria.”

“Butwhathappenstous,Altaïr?Toourfamily?WhatdoestheApplesay?”

Altaïrreplied,“Whowerethosewhocamebefore?Whatbroughtthemhere?

Howlongago?”ButhewastalkingmoretohimselfthantoMaria,whobrokein

onhisthoughtsagain:

“Getridofthatthing!”

“Thisismyduty,Maria,”Altaïrtoldhiswife,sadly.

Thenshescreamed,terribly.Andtherattleinherthroatfollowed,asshedied.

“Strength.Altaïr.”Awhisper.

“Maria!Where...whereareyou?”Tothegreathallhecried:“Whereis

she?”Buttheonlyanswerwashisecho.

Thenathirdvoice,itselfdistressed,thoughtryingtocalmhim.

“Father—sheisgone.Don’tyouremember?Sheisgone,”Darimsaid.

Adespairinghowl:“Whereismywife?”

“Ithasbeentwenty-fiveyears,youoldfool!She’sdead!”hissonshoutedat

himangrily.

“Leaveme.Leavemetomywork!”

Softer,now:“Father—whatisthisplace?Whatisitfor?”

“Itisalibrary.Andanarchive.TokeepsafeallthatIhavelearned.Allthat

Theyhaveshownme.”

“Whathavetheyshownyou,Father?”Apause.“WhathappenedatAlamut

beforetheMongolscame?Whatdidyoufind?”

Andthentherewassilence,andthesilencecoveredAltaïrlikeawarmsky,

andintoithesaid:

“Theirpurposeisknowntomenow.Theirsecretsaremine.Theirmotivesare

clear.Butthismessageisnotforme.Itisforanother.”

Helookedattheboxonthedeskbeforehim.Ishallnottouchthatwretched

thingagain.SoonIshallpassfromthisworld.Itismytime.Allthehoursofthe

dayarenowcoloredbythethoughtsandfearsbornofthisrealization.Allthe

revelationsthatwereevertobevouchsafedmearedone.Thereisnonextworld.

Norareturntothisone.Itwillsimplybe—done.Forever.

Andheopenedthebox.Init,onabedofbrownvelvet,laytheApple.APiece

ofEden.

IhaveletitbeknownthatthisApplewasfirsthiddeninCyprus,thenlostat

sea,droppedintheocean...thisApplemustnotbediscovereduntilitistime..

Hegazedatitforamoment,thenroseandturnedtoadarkrecessinthewall

behindhim.Hepressedalever,whichopenedaheavydoor,coveringahidden

alcove,inwhichstoodapedestal.AltaïrtooktheApplefromthebox,athingno

biggerthanakickball,andtransferreditquicklytothepedestal.Heworkedfast,

beforetemptationcouldworkonhim,andpulledtheleveragain.Thedoorover

thealcoveslidshut,snappingintoplacewithfinality.Altaïrknewthatthelever

wouldnotoperateagainfortwo-and-a-halfcenturies.Timefortheworldto

moveon,perhaps.Forhim,though,temptationwasover.

Hetookhisseatathisdeskagain,andtook,fromadrawer,awhitealabaster

disc.Helitacandlebyhimandtookthediscinbothhands,raisingitclosetohis

eyes,andclosingthemandconcentrating,hebegantoimbuethealabasterwith

histhoughts—histestament.

Thestoneglowed,lightinguphisfaceforalongtime.Thentheglowfaded,

anditgrewdark.Allgrewdark.



Ezioturnedthediscoverandoverinhishandsunderthecandlelight.Howhe

hadcometolearnwhathenowknew,hehadnoidea.Buthefeltadeep

fellowship,akinship,even,withthehuskthatsatathisside.

HelookedatAltaïr,incredulous.“Anotherartifact?”hesaid.“Another

Apple?”

SEVENTY-SEVEN

Heknewwhattodo,buthediditalmostasifhewerestillinadream.Heplaced

thedisccarefullybackonthedesktopandturnedtothedarkrecessbehindit.He

knewwheretolookforthelever,anditgaveimmediatelywhenhetuggedgently

atit.Butasthedoorslidopen,hegasped.Ithoughttherewasonlyone.Theone

MachiavelliandIburiedforeverinthevaultunderthechurchofSanNicolain

Carcere.Andnow—itstwin!

HestudiedtheAppleforamoment.Itwasdarkandcold—lifeless.Buthe

couldfeelhishand,asifindependentofhiswill,reachingoutforit.

Withasupremeeffort,hestoppedhimself.

“NO!YouwillstayHERE!”

Hetookastepback.

“Ihaveseenenoughforonelifetime!”

Heputhishandonthelever.

ButthentheAppleflaredintolife,itslightblindinghim.Hestaggeredback,

turning,tosee,inthecenterofthenow-dazzlingly-litchamber,theworld—the

world!—turninginspace,twentyfeetabovethefloor,agiant,vulgarballof

blue,brown,white,andgreen.

“NO!”heyelled,hidinghiseyeswithhishands.“Ihavedoneenough!Ihave

livedmylifeasbestIcould,notknowingitspurpose,butdrawnforwardlikea

mothtoadistantmoon.Nomore!”

Listen.Youareaconduitforamessagethatisnotforyoutounderstand.

Eziohadnoideawherethevoicewascomingfrom,orwhoseitwas.Hetook

hishandsfromhiseyesandplacedthemoverhisears,turningtothewall,his

bodywrenchedtoandfroasifhewerebeingbeaten.

Andhewaspulledroundtofacetheroom.Swimmingintheair,fillingthe

gaudybrightness,weretrillionsofnumbersandicons,calculationsand

formulae,andwordsandletters,somejumbled,somethrowntogethertomake

occasionalsense,butsplittingagaintogivewaytochaos.Andfromtheirmidst

thevoiceofanoldman;oldbecausefromtimetotimeittrembled.Itwasnot

withoutauthority.ItwasthemostpowerfulvoiceEziohadeverheard.

Doyouhearme,cipher?Canyouhearme?

Andthen—somethinglikeaman,walkingtowardhimasiffromagreat

distance,walkingthroughtheswirlingseaofallthesymbolsManhadeverused

totrytomakesenseofitall;walkingonair,onwater,butnotonland.ButEzio

knewthatthefigurewouldneverbreakfreetoreachhim.Theywereontwo

sidesofanunbridgeableabyss.

Ah.Thereyouare.

Thenumbersaroundthefigureshiftedandpulsed.Andstartedtofleefrom

oneanotherwithoutbeingabletogetfree—inakindofnightmarishentropy.But

thefigurebecameclearer.Aman.Tallerandbroaderthanmostmen.Eziowas

remindedofoneofthestatuesofGreekgodsMichelangelohadshownhim

whentheBorgias’collectionhadbeenseizedbyPopeJulius.Anoldgod,

though.ZeusorPoseidon.Afullbeard.Eyesthatshonewithanunearthly

wisdom.Aroundhim,thetrailingdigitsandequationsceasedtobattlewithone

anotherandfinallybegantodriftaway,fasterandfaster,untiltheyweregone,

andtheworldwasgone,andallthatwasleftwasthis—man.WhatelsewasEzio

tocallhim?

Jupiter.Jupiterismyname.Ithinkyou’vemetmysisters.

Eziolookedatthecreaturebutitwaswatchingtheverylasttrailingformulae

astheyscurriedawaythroughtheether.

Thevoicewhenitnextspokeseemedoddlyhuman,alittleunsureofitself.

Astrangeplace,thisnexusofTime.Iamnotusedtothe...calculations.That

hasalwaysbeenMinerva’sdomain.

HelookedatEzioquizzically.Buttherewassomethingelse—profound

sadness,andakindofpaternalpride.

Iseeyoustillhavemanyquestions.Whowerewe?Whatbecameofus?What

dowedesireofyou?

Jupitersmiled.

Youwillhaveyouranswers.OnlylistenandIwilltellyou.

Lightslowlydrainedfromtheentireroom,andonceagainaghostly,blue,

revolvingglobecameintoviewdirectlybehindJupiter,andslowlygrewinsize

untilitoccupiedalmosttheentirechamber.

Bothbeforetheend,andafter,wesoughttosavetheworld.

Smalldotsbeganappearingonthehuge,revolvingglobe,oneafteranother.

Thesemarkwherewebuiltvaultsinwhichtowork,eachdedicatedtoa

differentmannerofsalvation.

Eziosawoneofthedotsamongthemanyflashbrightly.Itwasnearthe

easternseaboardofavastcontinenthecouldn’timaginereallyexisted,except

thatheknewthathisfriendAmerigoVespuccihaddiscoveredacoastlinetherea

decadeearlier,andhehadseentheWaldseemüllermapdepictingallthe

discoveredworld.Butallthatthemapshowedwasfarthersouth.Couldtherebe

more?Agreatlandthere?Itseemedsounlikely.

Theywereplacedundergroundtoavoidthewarthatragedabove,andalsoas

aprecaution,shouldwefailinourefforts.

AndEziosawnowthatbeamsoflightwerebeginningtostretchlikelines

acrosstheslowing,spinningglobefromalltheotherpointsmarkedonittothe

oneonthestrangenewcontinent,andwentonuntiltheentireworldwas

crisscrossedwithafiligreeoflinesoflight.

Eachvault’sknowledgewastransmittedtoasingleplace...

AndthenEzio’spointofviewseemedtochangeashewatchedthegreat

imageoftheworld;andheseemedtoplummettowardit,downthroughspace,

untilitseemedasifhewereabouttocrashintotheground,whichrosetomeet

him,comingalarminglyclose.Butthen—thenitwasasifhewereliftedup,at

thelastmoment,andwasskimmingalongclosetotheground,thendownagain,

downthroughashaftlikeamineshaftuntilheemergedinanimmense

undergroundbuilding,likeatempleorapalacehall.

Itwasourduty...mine,andmysisters,MinervaandJuno—tosortand

sampleallthatwascollected.Wechosethosesolutionswhichheldthemost

promise,anddevotedourselvestotestingtheirmerits.

And,indeed,nowEziowasinthegreathall,inthemysteriousvaultinthe

mysteriousland—orseemedtobethere—andthere,nearJupiter,stoodMinerva

andJuno,whomEziohadindeedencounteredbefore...

Sixwetriedinsuccession,eachonemoreencouragingthanthelast.Butnone

worked.

Andthen—theworldended.

Thelaststatementwasmadeinsosimpleandmatter-of-factatonethatEzio

wastakenabackbyit.HesawMinerva,heavy-hearted,andJuno,angry,lookon

asJupiterputintoactionacomplexmechanismthattriggeredthegreatdoorsof

theplacetocloseandsealthemselvesshut.Andthen—

Thenagreatwaveofindescribablepowerhittheuppervaultofheavenandlit

uptheskyliketenthousandnorthernlights.Ezioseemedtobestandingamid

hundredsofthousandsofpeople,inanelegantcityandalllookingupatthe

supernaturaldisplayabovethem.Butthelightbreezethatplayedonthem

changed,fromzephyrtostorm,thentohurricane,withinlessthanaminute.The

peoplelookedatoneanotherindisbelief,thenpanic,andtheyscurriedawayto

safety.

Thesky,stillablazewithwavesofgreenfire,begantocrackleandsparkwith

lightning.Thunderrolledandcrashed,thoughtherewasnotacloudtobeseen,

andboltssmashedfromtheheavensontotrees,buildings,andpeoplealike.

Debrisflewthroughtheair,destroyingeverythinginitspath.

Next,acolossaltremorcausedthegroundtoshudder.Thoseleftintheopen

losttheirfootingandbeforetheycouldrisewerestruckdownbyrocksand

stonescarriedlikeballsofpaperbythewind.Theearthshookagain,more

violentlythistime,andthescreamsandcriesoftheafflictedweredrownedby

thecrackoflightningandthedeafeningscreamofthegale.Survivorsinthe

openstrovetofindshelter,somefightingtokeeptheirbalancebyclingingtothe

sidesofwhateverbuildingsstillstood,astheyclawedtheirwayalong.

But,amidthegeneraldevastation,greattemplesstoodfirm,untouchedbythe

catastrophearoundthem,bearingtributetothetechnicalingenuityofthosewho

hadbuiltthem.Butanothergreattremorrippledtheground,thenanother.A

broadhighwaysplitintwoalongitslength,andpeoplefledfromthegrowing

abyssthatcleavedit.Theskybythenwasonfire,arcsoflightningrushingfrom

onehorizontotheother,andtheupperreachesofthefirmamentseemedaboutto

implode.

ThenitappearedtoEziothathesawtheearthfromafaragain,engulfedina

gargantuansolarflare,trappedinawebofgiganticfireballs;then,unthinkably,

theworldshiftedfromitsaxis,rollingover.Theelegantcity,therefined,

sophisticatedcollectionoftallbuildingsandmanicuredparks,wasrivenwith

gapingwoundsastheearthsplitandcrackedunderit,rippingdownpreviously

untouchededificesandsmashingthemtopieces.Thefewremainingpeoplein

theremainsofthestreetsscreamed,onelastdespairingcryofagony,astheshift

intheearth’spoleslefttheplanet’ssurfacevulnerabletothedeadlyradiationof

solarflares.Thelaststructuresweresweptawaylikehousesofcardsinthe

wind.

Andthen—justassuddenlyasithadstarted—allbecamequiet.Thenorthern

lightsceasedjustasacandle’sflamedieswhenamanblowsitout,and,almost

immediately,thewindcalmed.Butthedevastationwascomplete.Almost

nothinghadbeenspared.Firesandsmoke,darknessanddecay,heldillimitable

dominionoverall.

Throughthemiasma,Jupiter’svoicecametoEzio.Ortosomeonelikehim.

Nothingwascertainanymore:

Listen.Youmustgothere.Totheplacewherewelabored...Labored,and

lost.Takemywords.Passthemfromyourheadintoyourhands.Itishowyou

willopentheWay.Butbewarned.Muchstillremainsinflux.AndIdonotknow

howthingswillend—eitherinmytime,oryours.

Theduststormswereclearing,themoltenlavawascooling.Timeaccelerated

astinyshootsbrokethroughthegroundandreestablishedthemselves.The

entrancetoanundergroundvaultopened,andpeopleoftheFirstCivilization

emerged,andthey,inturn,begantorebuild.Buttheirnumberswerefewanddid

notincrease.

Overmanycenturiestheydiminished,untiltherewereonlyafewhundred

left,thenafewdozen,thennone...

Whattheyhadrebuiltwasclaimedbytheconqueringforests.Theirnew

buildingsdisappearedintheirturn,devouredbytime.Alow-hilled,richly

forestedlandscapeenvelopedthosegreatexpansesnotcoveredbyplains.And

then,people—butdifferentfromtheFirstComers.Humansnow.Thosewhom

theFirstComershadcreatedasslaveswouldnow,free,becometheirheirs.

SomeindeedhadbeentakenasloversbytheFirstComers,andfromthema

smalllineofpeoplewithmorethanhumanpowershademerged.

Butthetrueinheritorswerethehumans.Thefirstinthisunknownlandwere

menandwomenwithdeeplytannedskinsandlong,straight,blackhair.Proud

peopleswhohuntedstrange,darkbrown,wildcattle,ridingbarebackontough

ponies,usingbowsandarrows.Peoplewholivedinseparatetribesandfought

oneanotherbutwithlittlebloodshed.

Thenmorepeoplecame.Palerpeople,whoseclothesweredifferentand

coveredthemmorefully.PeoplewhocameonshipsfromEurope,acrossthe

MareOcciden-talis.Peoplewhohunteddowntheothersanddrovethemfrom

theirlands,establishinginturntheirownfarms,villages,and,againatlast,

townsandcitiestorivalthoseofthelostcivilization,whichhaddisappearedinto

theearthmanymillenniabefore.

Markthisandremember.Itisneveryourchoicetogiveupthefightforjustice.

Evenwhenitseemsthatitcanneverbewon,thatallhopeislost,thefight,the

fightensuresthesurvivalofjustice,thesurvivaloftheworld.Youlivebalanced

ontheedgeofacliff,youcannothelpthat.Yourjobistoensurethatthebalance

nevertipstoofartothewrongside.Andthereisonemorethingyoucandothat

willmakecertainitneverdoes:Youcanlove.



Ezioclungtothedesk.Nexttohim,Altaïrstillsatinhischair.Nothinghad

movedonthedesktop,notasheetofparchmenthadstirred,andthestumpof

candleburnedwithasteadylight.

Hedidnotknowhowhehadgotfromtherecesstothedesk,butnowhe

retracedthefewsteps.TheApplestillrestedonitspedestalwithinthealcove,

coldanddead.Hecouldhardlymakeoutitscontoursinthegloom.Itsdust-

coveredbox,henoticed,layonthedesktop.

Hegatheredhimselftogetherandcrossedthegreatchamberagain,makingfor

thecorridorthatwouldleadbacktothesunlight,andtoSofia.

Butattheentrancetothegreatlibrary,heturnedoncemore.Farawaynow,as

itseemed,helookedforonelasttimeatAltaïr,sittingforeternityintheghostof

hislibrary.

“Farewell,Mentor,”hesaid.

SEVENTY-EIGHT

Reachingtheouterdoorway,Eziofoundtheleverbythelintelandpulledit.

Obediently,thegreendoorsliddownintotheground.AndtherewasSofia,

readingabook,waitingforhim.

Asheemerged,shesmiledathimandstood,andcametohimandtookhis

hand.

“Youcameback,”shesaid,unabletodisguisethesheerreliefinhervoice.

“IpromisedIwould.”

“Haveyoufoundwhatyousought?”

“Ihavefound—enough.”

Shehesitated.“Ithought—”

“What?”

“IthoughtI’dneverseeyouagain.”

“Sometimesourworstpremonitionsaretheleastreliable.”

Shelookedathim.“Imustbemad.IthinkIlikeyouevenwhenyou’rebeing

pompous.”Shepaused.“Whatdowedonow?”

Eziosmiled.“Wegohome,”hesaid.

PARTIII

Eternallight,yousojourninyourselfalone.

Alone,youknowyourself.Knowntoyourself,

you,knowing,loveandsmileonyourownbeing.

—DANTE,PARADISO

SEVENTY-NINE

EziowasquietformuchofthejourneybacktoConstantinople.Sofia,

rememberingSelim’sdirewarning,questionedthewisdomofhisreturningthere

atall,buthemerelysaid,“Thereisstillworktobedone.”

Shewonderedabouthim—heseemedsowithdrawn,almostill.Butwhenthe

goldendomesandwhiteminaretsonceagainappearedonthenorthernseaboard,

hisspiritslifted,andshesawtheoldgleambackinhisdarkgreyeyes.

Theyreturnedtohershop.Itwasalmostunrecognizable.Azizehad

modernizedit,andallthebookswererangedneatlyontheirshelves,in

impeccableorder.AzizewasalmostapologeticwhenshehandedSofiabackthe

keys,butSofiahadmostlynoticedthattheshopwasfullofcustomers.

“Doganwishestoseeyou,Mentor,”AzizesaidasshegreetedEzio.“Andbe

reassured.PrinceSuleimanknowsofyourreturnandhasprovidedyouwitha

safe-conduct.Buthisfatherisadamantthatyoushouldnotremainlong.”

EzioandSofiaexchangedalook.Theyhadbeentogetherawhile,eversince

shehadinsistedonaccompanyinghimonhisjourneytoMasyaf—arequest

whichhe’dagreedto,tohersurprise,withnoobjectionatall.Indeed,hehad

seemedtowelcomeit.

WithDogan,EziomadesurethattheTurkishAssassinshadafirmbaseinthe

city,withSuleiman’stacitagreementandunderhisunofficialprotection.The

workhadalreadystartedinpurgingthecityandtheempireofanylasttraceof

renegadeOttomansandByzantines,nowleaderless,followingthedeathsof

AhmetandManuel;andtheJanissaries,underSelim’sironhand,knewnomore

dissentwithintheirranks.Therewasnoneedofanysincetheirpreferredprince

hadmadehimselftheirsultan.



AsfortheTemplars,theirpowerbasesinItalyand,now,intheEast,broken,

theyhaddisappeared.ButEzioknewthatthevolcanowasdormant,notextinct.

HistroubledthoughtsturnedtotheFarEast—theOrient—andhewondered

whattheknowledgeimpartedtohimbyJupiterandtheghostlyglobemight

meanfortheundiscoveredcontinents—iftheyexisted—farawayacrossthe

WesternSea.

Dogan,thoughlackingYusuf’sélan,madeupforthisbyhisorganizational

skillsandhiscompletedevotiontotheCreed.HemightmakeaMentoroneday,

Eziothought.Buthisownfeelingsseemedtohavebeencutadrift.Henolonger

knewwhathebelieved,ifhebelievedinanythingatall,andthis,withoneother

thing,waswhathadpreoccupiedhimduringthelongvoyagehome.

Home!Whatcouldhecallhome?Rome?Florence?Hiswork?Buthehadno

realhome,andheknewinhisheartthathisexperienceinAltaïr’shidden

chamberatMasyafhadmarkedtheendofapageinhislife.Hehaddonewhat

hecould,andhehadachievedpeaceandstability—forthetimebeing—inItaly

andintheEast.Couldhenotaffordtospendalittletimeonhimself?Hisdays

weregrowingshort,heknew,buttherewerestillenoughofthemlefttoreapa

harvest.Ifhedaredtaketherisk.



Eziospenthisfifty-thirdbirthday,Midsummer’sDay,1512,withSofia.The

dayspermittedhimbySelim’svisawerealsogrowingshortinnumber.His

moodseemedsomber.Theywerebothapprehensive,asifsomegreatweight

werehangingoverthem.InhishonorshehadpreparedacompletelyFlorentine

banquet:salsiccedicinghialeandfettunta,thencarciofinisott’olio,followedby

spaghettialloscoglioandbisteccaallafiorentina;andafterwardagooddry

pecorino.Thecakeshemadewasacastagnaccio,andshethrewinsomebrutti

mabuoniforgoodmeasure.Butthewine,shedecided,shouldcomefromthe

Veneto.

Itwasallfartoorich,andshe’dmadefartoomuch,andhedidhisbest,but

shecouldseethatfood,evenfoodfromhome,whichhadcostherafortuneto

get,wasthelastthingonhismind.

“Whatwillyoudo?”sheaskedhim.

Hesighed.“GobacktoRome.Myworkhereisdone.”Hepaused.“And

you?”

“StayhereIsuppose.GoonasIhavealwaysdone.ThoughAzizeisabetter

booksellerthanIeverwas.”

“Maybeyoushouldtrysomethingnew.”

“Idon’tknowifI’ddareto,onmyown.ThisiswhatIknow.Though—”she

brokeoff.

“Thoughwhat?”

Shelookedathim.“Ihavelearnedthatthereisalifeoutsidebooks.”

“Alllifeisoutsidebooks.”

“Spokenlikeatruescholar!”

“Lifeentersbooks.Itisn’ttheotherwayround.”

Sofiastudiedhim.Shewonderedhowmuchlongerhe’dhesitate.Whether

he’devercometothepointatall.Whetherhe’ddare.Whetherheevenwanted

to—thoughshetriedtokeepthatthoughtatbay—andwhethershe’ddare

prompthim.ThattriptoAdrianopoliswithouthimhadbeenthefirsttimeshe’d

realizedwhatwashappeningtoher,andshewasprettysureithadhappenedto

himaswell.Theywerelovers—ofcoursetheywerelovers.Butwhatshereally

longedforhadn’thappenedyet.

Theysatathertableforalongtimeinsilence.Averychargedsilence.

“Azize,unlikeyou,hasnotsprungbackfromherordealatAhmet’shands,”

saidEzio,finally,andslowly,pouringthembothfreshglassesofSoave.“She

hasaskedmetoaskyouifshemayworkhere.”

“Andwhatisyourinterestinthat?”

“ThisplacewouldmakeanexcellentintelligencecenterfortheSeljuk

Assassins.”Hecorrectedhimselfhastily.“Asasecondaryfunction,ofcourse,

anditwouldgiveAzizeaquieterroleintheOrder.Thatis,ifyou...”

“Andwhatwillbecomeofme?”

Heswallowedhard.“I—Iwonderedif—”

Hewentdownononeknee.

Herheartwasgoinglikemad.

EIGHTY

TheydecideditwouldbebesttomarryinVenice.Sofia’sunclewasvicar

generalofSantaMariaGloriosadeiFrariintheSanPolodistrictandhadoffered

toofficiate—assoonasherealizedthatEzio’slatefatherhadbeentheeminent

bankerGiovanniAuditore,hehadgiventhemarriagehiswholeheartedblessing.

Ezio’sconnectionwithPietroBembodidn’tdoanyharm,either,andthough

LucreziaBorgia’sformerlovercouldn’tattend,beingawayinUrbino,theguests

didincludeDogeLeonardoLoredanandtheup-and-comingyoungpainter

TizianVecelli,who,smittenbySofia’sbeauty,andjealousofDürer’spictureof

her,offered,forafriendlyprice,todoadoubleportraitofthemasawedding

tribute.

TheAssassinBrotherhoodhadpaidSofiaagenerouspriceforherbookshop,

andunderit,inthecisternEziohaddiscovered,thefivekeysofMasyafwere

walledupandsealed.Azize,thoughsadtoseethemgo,wasalsooverjoyedat

hernewprofession.

TheystayedinVenice,allowingSofiatoacquaintherselfwithherscarcely

knownhomelandandtomakefriendswithhersurvivingrelatives.ButEzio

begantogrowrestless.TherehadbeenimpatientlettersfromClaudiainRome.

PopeJuliusII,longtheAssassins’protector,wasapproachinghissixty-ninth

birthdayandailing.Thesuccessionwasstillindoubt,andtheBrotherhood

neededEziotheretotakechargeofthingsintheinterimperiodthatwould

followJulius’sdeath.

ButEzio,thoughworried,stillputoffmakinganyarrangementsfortheir

departure.

“Inolongerwishtobepartofthesethings,”hetoldSofiainanswertoher

inquiry.“Ineedtohavetimetothinkformyself,atlast.”

“Andtothinkofyourself,perhaps.”

“Perhapsthat,too.”

“Butstill,youhaveaduty.”

“Iknow.”

Therewereotherthingsonhismind.TheleaderoftheNorthEuropeanbranch

oftheBrotherhood,DesideriusErasmus,hadwrittentoClaudiafromQueens’

CollegeatCambridge,wherethewanderingscholarwasforthepresentliving

andteaching,thattherewasanewlyappointedDoctorinBibleatWittenberg,a

youngmancalledLuther,whosereligiousthinkingmightneedwatching,asit

seemedtobeleadingtosomethingveryrevolutionaryindeed—somethingthat

mightyetagainthreatenthefragilestabilityofEurope.

HetoldSofiaofhisconcern.

“WhatisErasmusdoing?”

“Hewatches.Hewaits.”

“WillyourecruitnewmentotheOrderifthereisashiftawayfromthe

RomanChurchinthenorth?”

Eziospreadhishands.“IwillbeadvisedbyDesiderius.”Heshookhishead.

“Everywhere,always,thereisfreshdissentanddivision.”

“Isn’tthatafeatureoflife?”

Hesmiled.“Perhaps.Andperhapsitisnotmyfightanymore.”

“Thatdoesn’tsoundlikeyou.”Shepaused.“Oneday,youwilltellmewhat

reallyhappenedinthatvaultunderMasyaf.”

“Oneday.”

“Whynottellmenow?”

Helookedather.“Iwilltellyouthis.Ihavecometorealizethattheprogress

ofMankindtowardthegoalsofpeaceandunitywillalwaysbeajourney—there

willneverbeanarrival.It’sjustlikethejourneythroughlifeofanymanor

woman.Theendisalwaystheinterruptionofthatjourney.Thereisno

conclusion.Thereisalwaysunfinishedbusiness.”Eziowasholdingabookinhis

handsashespoke—Petrarch’sCanzoniere.“It’slikethis,”hecontinued.“Death

doesn’twaitforyoutofinishabook.”

“Thenreadwhatyoucan,whileyoucan.”

Withanewdetermination,Eziomadearrangementsforthejourneybackto

Rome.

Bythattime,Sofiawaspregnant.

EIGHTY-ONE

“Whattookyousolong?”Claudiasnapped,thenpulledhimtoherandkissed

himhardonbothcheeks.“Fratellomio.You’veputonweight.AllthatVenetian

food.Notgoodforyou.”

TheywereintheAssassins’HeadquartersonTiberIsland.Itwaslatein

February.Ezio’sarrivalbackinRomehadcoincidedwiththefuneralofPope

Julius.

“Somegoodnews,Ithink,”Claudiawenton.“GiovannidiLorenzodeMedici

isgoingtobeelected.”

“Buthe’sonlyadeacon.”

“Sincewhenhasthatstoppedanyonefrombecomingpope?”

“Well,itwouldbegoodnewsifhegetsit.”

“HehasthebackingofalmosttheentireCollegeofCardinals.He’seven

chosenaname—Leo.”

“Willherememberme?”

“HecouldhardlyforgetthatdaybackintheduomoinFlorencewhenyou

savedhisfather’slife.Andhisown,bytheway.”

“Ah,”saidEzio,remembering.“ThePazzi.Itseemslikealongtimeago.”

“Itisalongtimeago.ButlittleGiovanniisallgrownupnow—he’sthirty-

eight,wouldyoubelieve?Andatoughcustomer.”

“Aslongasheremembershisfriends.”

“He’sstrong.That’swhatcounts.Andhewantsusonhisside.”

“Ifheisjust,wewillstandbyhim.”

“Weneedhimasmuchasheneedsus.”

“Thatistrue.”Eziopaused,lookingroundtheoldhall.Somanymemories.

Butitwasalmostasiftheyhadnothingtodowithhimanylonger.“Thereis

somethingIneedtodiscusswithyou,sister.”

“Yes?”

“Thequestionof...mysuccessor.”

“AsMentor?Youaregivingup?”Butshedidnotsoundsurprised.

“IhavetoldyouthestoryofMasyaf.IhavedoneallIcan.”

“Marriagehassoftenedyouup.”

“Itdidn’tsoftenyouup,andyou’vedoneittwice.”

“Idoapproveofyourwife,bytheway.EvenifsheisaVenetian.”

“Grazie.”

“When’sthehappyevent?”

“May.”

Shesighed.“It’strue.Thisjobwearsoneout.TheBlessedMotherknows,

I’veonlybeendoingitinyoursteadfortwoshortyears,butIhavecometo

realizewhatyouhavebeencarryingonyourshouldersforsolong.Buthaveyou

thoughtofwhomighttakeonthemantle?”

“Yes.”

“Machiavelli?”

Ezioshookhishead.“Hewouldneveraccept.Heisfartoomuchofathinker

tobealeader.Butthejob—andIsaythisinallmodesty—needsastrongmind.

Thereisoneofournumber,nevercalledontoassistusbeforeinanythingbut

hisdiplomaticmissions,whomIhavesoundedout,andwho,Ithink,isready.”

“Anddoyouthinktheothers—Niccolòhimself,Bartolomeo,Rosa,Paola,and

IlVolpe—willtheyelecthim?”

“Ithinkso.”

“Whohaveyouinmind?”

“LodovicoAriosto.”

“Him?”

“HewasFerraranambassadortotheVaticantwice.”

“AndJuliusnearlyhadhimkilled.”

“Thatwasn’thisfault.JuliuswasinconflictwithDukeAlfonsoatthetime.”

Claudialookedastonished.“Ezio—haveyoutakenleaveofyoursenses?Do

younotrememberwhoAlfonsoismarriedto?”

“Lucrezia—yes.”

“LucreziaBorgia.”

“She’sleadingaquietlifethesedays.”

“TellAlfonsothat!Besides,Ariosto’sasickman—and,bySaintSebastian,

he’saweekendpoet!Ihearhe’sworkingonsometoshaboutSieurRoland.”

“Dantewasapoet.Beingapoetdoesn’tautomaticallyemasculateyou,

Claudia.AndLodovicoisonlythirty-eight,he’sgotalltherightcontacts,and,

aboveall,he’sloyaltotheCreed.”

Claudialookedsullen.“YoumightaswellhaveaskedCastiglione,”she

muttered.“He’saweekendactor.”

“Mydecisionistaken,”Eziotoldher,firmly.“Butwewillleaveittothe

AssassinCounciltoratifyit.”

Shewassilentalongtime,thensmiled,andsaid,“It’struethatyouneeda

rest,Ezio.Perhapswealldo.Butwhatareyourplans?”

“I’mnotsure.IthinkI’dliketoshowSofiaFlorence.”

Claudialookedsad.“There’snotmuchleftoftheAuditorestheretoshowher.

Annetta’sdead,didyouknow?”

“Annetta?When?”

“Twoyearsago.IthoughtIwrotetoyouaboutit.”

“No.”

Theybothfellsilent,thinkingoftheiroldhousekeeper,whohadstayedloyal

andhelpedsavethemaftertheirfamilyandtheirhomeweredestroyedby

Templaragentsoverthirtyyearsearlier.

“Nevertheless,I’mtakingherthere.”

“Andwhatwillyoudothere?Willyoustay?”

“Sister,Ireallydon’tknow.ButIthought...IfIcanfindtherightplace...”

“What?”

“Imightgrowalittlewine.”

“Youdon’tknowthefirstthingaboutit!”

“Icanlearn.”

“You—inavineyard!Cuttingbunchesofgrapes!”

“AtleastIknowhowtouseablade.”

Shelookedscornful.“BrunellodiAuditore,Isuppose!Andwhatelse?

Betweenharvests,Imean.”

“Ithought—Imighttrymyhandatabitofwriting.”

Claudiaalmostexploded.

EIGHTY-TWO

ButClaudiawouldlatercometolovehervisitstotheestateinthehillsabove

FlorencethatEzioandSofiafound,moreorlessfallingdown,butboughtand,

withtheproceedsfromthesaleoftheConstantinoplebookshoptotheAssassins,

andEzio’sowncapital,restoredandturnedintoamodest,butquiteprofitable,

vineyardwithintwoyears.

Eziobecameleanandtanned,woreworkmen’sclothesduringtheday,and

Sofiascoldedhim,tellinghimthathishandsweregettingtoognarledfor

lovemakingfromworkingonthevines.

Butthathadn’tpreventedthemfromproducingFlaviainMay1513,and

Marcelloarrivedayearlater,inOctober.

AndClaudialovedhernewnieceandnephewalmostmorethanshethought

possible,thoughshemadequitesure,giventhetwenty-yeardifferenceintheir

ages,thatsheneverbecameakindofersatzmother-in-lawtoSofia.Shenever

interfered,andshedisciplinedherselftovisittheAuditoreestatenearFiesoleno

morethanhalfthenumberoftimesshewouldhavelikedto.Besides,shehada

newhusbandinRometothinkaboutaswell.

ButClaudiacouldn’tlovethechildrenasmuchasEziodid.Inthem,andin

Sofia,Eziohadatlastfoundthereason,whichhehadspentalifetimeseeking.

EIGHTY-THREE

Machiavellihadhadahardtimeofit,politically,andevenspentawhilein

prison,butwhenthewhitewaterwaspast,andhewasabletotakeupthereins

ofhislifeinFlorenceagain,hewasafrequentvisitortotheVillaAuditore.

Eziomissedhimwhenhewasn’tthere,thoughhedidn’ttakekindlytohisold

friend’ssometimesacerbiccommentsonhisfrequently-put-offattemptstowrite

amemoir.Theraccoltoof1518hadnotbeengood,andEziohadcaughtsome

kindofchestinfection—whichheignored—thathaddraggedonthroughoutthe

winter.

Earlyoneevening,nearthebeginningofthefollowingspring,Eziosatalone

bythefireinhisdininghall,aglassofhisownredbyhim.Hehadpenand

paper,andhewastryingtomakeastart,fortheumpteenthtime,onChapter

XVI,buthefoundrecollectionfarlessinterestingthanaction,andafterawhile,

asalways,heimpatientlypushedthemanuscriptaway.Reachingforhisglass,he

wasovercomebyafitofpainfulcoughing,knockingitover.Itfellwitha

terribleclatter,spillingwineallovertheolive-woodsurfaceofhistable,butit

didnotbreak.Hestoodtoretrieveitasitrolledtowardtheedgeofthetable,and

rightedit,asSofiacamein,attractedbythenoise.

“Areyouallright,amore?”

“It’snothing.I’msorryaboutthemess.Handmeacloth.”

“Forgetthecloth.Youneedrest.”

EziogropedforachairasSofiastoodbyhisside,easinghimdown.“Sit,”she

commanded,gently.Ashedidso,shepickeduptheunlabeledbottle,small

towelwrappedrounditsneck,andcheckedthelevelofwineleftinit.

“Bestcureforacold,”saidEzio,sheepishly.“HasNiccolòarrivedyet?”

“Heisrightbehindme,”shereplied,addingdrily,“I’dbetterbringyou

anotherbottle.Thisone,Isee,isnearlyempty.”

“Awriterneedshisfuel.”

Machiavellihadenteredtheroomwiththelackofceremonyhewasentitledto

asanoldfriendandafrequentguest.HetooktheclothfromSofia.

“Here,letme.”Hewipedtheglass,thenthetabletop.Eziowatchedhim,a

slightlysourlookonhisface.

“Iinvitedyouheretodrink,notcleanupafterme.”

Machiavellifinishedthejobbeforehereplied,withasmile,“Icandoboth.A

tidyroomandagoodglassofwineareallamanneedstofeelcontent.”

Eziolaughedmockingly.“Rubbish!Yousoundlikeacharacterfromoneof

yourplays.”

“You’veneverseenoneofhisplays,”putinSofia,shakingherhead.

Eziowasembarrassed.“Well,Icanimagine.”

“Canyou?Thenwhynotputthatimaginationtowork?Whydon’tyoubuckle

downandgetonwiththis?”Heindicatedtheneglectedmanuscript.

“We’vebeenoverthis,Niccolò.Idon’twrite.I’mafather,ahusband,a

winemaker.I’mquitehappywiththat.”

“Fairenough.”

Sofiahadfetchedafreshbottleofthered,andplaceditbythem,withtwo

cleanglasses,cleannapkins,andabasketofpandiramerino.“I’llleaveyoutwo

todiscussliteraturetogether,”shesaid.“OnceI’vehelpedAndreagetthe

childrentobed,I’vegotsomewritingofmyowntodo.”

“What’sthat?”askedMachiavelli.

“Neveryoumind,”shesaid.“I’lljustwaittoseewhatyouthinkofthewine.

He’sbeenfrettingaboutit.Throughseveralbottles.”

“She’llgetherbookfinishedwellbeforeyoudoyours,”saidMachiavelli.

“Nevermindthat,”saidEzio.“Tastethis.Lastyear’sharvest.Adisaster.”

“Ifyouaskformyjudgment,youshallhaveit.”

HesippedthewineEziohadpouredhim,rolleditroundhismouth,savoring

it,andswallowed.

“It’sdelicious.”Hesmiled.“Sangioveseagain—orhaveyouchanged?”

Sofia’sfacebrokeintoagrin,assherubbedEzio’sshoulder.“Yousee?”she

said.

“Ablend,”saidEzio,pleased.“ButmainlymyoldSangiovese.Ididn’treally

thinkitwasallthatbad.Mygrapesarethebest.”

“Ofcoursetheyare.”Machiavellitookanotherdeepdraft.Eziosmiled,

thoughSofianoticedthathishandwenttohischestsurreptitiously,tomassage

it.

“Comeon,”saidEzio.“There’sstillsomelightinthesky.I’llshowyou...”

Theywentoutsideandwalkeddowntheavenueleadingtothevineyards.

“Trebbianoforthewhite,”Eziosaid,wavinghishandatarowofvines.“You

musthavesomewithdinner.We’regettingtonnoalcartoccio.Serena’s

specialty.”

“Ilovethewayshecookstuna,”Machiavellireplied.Helookedaround.

“You’vedonewell,Ezio.Leonardowouldhavebeenproudtoseewhatyouhave

cultivatedhere.”

“OnlybecauseI’musingthetoolshegaveme,”Eziosaid,laughing.“He’dbe

jealous.IselltwiceasmuchwineasheeverdoesfromhisvineyardsinPorta

Verci-nella.Still,heshouldneverhavesentthatrascalSalaibackfromAmboise

toruntheplace.”Thenhepaused.“Whatdoyoumean—hewouldhavebeen

proud?”

Machiavelli’sfacegrewgrave.“I’vehadaletter.It’stobothofusactuallybut

ittakesforeverfortheposttogetoutheretoFiesole.Look,Ezio.He’snottoo

well.He’dliketoseeus.”

Eziosquaredhisshoulders.“Whendowestart?”hesaid.



TheyreachedtheClosLucé,themanorhousenearthechâteauatAmboise

whichKingFrancishadgivenLeonardoaspartofthepackageofhispatronage,

inlateApril.TheLoireflowedataneasypace,thebanksofitsbrownwaters

crowdedwithtreesinnewleaf.

Theyrodethroughthegatesofthemanor,downanavenuelinedwithcypress

trees,tobemetbyamanservant.Leavingtheirhorsesinthecareofanostler,

theyfollowedthemanservantintothehouse.Inalarge,airyroom,itsopen

windowsoverlookingtheparktotherear,layLeonardoonachaiselongue,

dressedinayellowbrocadegownandhalf-coveredbyabearskinrug.Hislong

whitehairandbeardwerestraggly,andhehadgonebaldontop,buthiseyes

stillshonebrightly,andhehalfrosetogreetthem.

“Mydearfriends—Iamsogladyouhavecome!Etienne!Bringuswineand

cakes.”

“You’renotsupposedtohavecakes.Letalonewine.”

“Lookhere—whopaysyourwages?Nevermind—don’tanswerthat.The

samemanthatpaysmine,Iknow!Just—doasyou’retold!”

Themanservantbowed,andleft,soontoreturnwithatray,whichheplaced

ceremoniouslyonanearbypolishedtablebeforetakinghisleaveagain.Butas

hedidso,hebowedoncemore,andsaidtoLeonardo’sguests:“Youmust

forgivethedisorder.It’sourway.”

MachiavelliandEziosharedasmile.Thepolishedtableandthegleamingtray

wereanislandinaroughseaofchaos.Leonardo’shabitshadn’tchanged.

“Howarethings,oldfriend?”askedEzio,takingaseatneartheartist.

“Ican’tcomplain,butI’minterestedinmovingon,”Leonardosaid,tryingto

makehisvoicesoundstrongerthanitwas.

“Whatdoyoumean?”saidEzio,concernedthathisfriendwasusingsome

kindofeuphemism.

“I’mnottalkingaboutdying,”saidLeonardo,irritably.“I’mtalkingabout

England.Theirnewking’sveryinterestedinbuildinguphisnavy.I’dliketoget

overthereandsellhimmysubmarine.TheVenetiansneverdidpayme,you

know.”

“Theyneverbuiltit.”

“That’sbesidethepoint!”

“Don’tyouhaveenoughtooccupyyourmindhere?”askedMachiavelli.

Leonardogavehimanoutragedlook.“Ifyoucancallcreatingamechanical

lionoccupyingmymind!”hesnapped.“Thatwasmyliegelord’slast

commission.Iaskyou—amechanicallion,thatwalksalongandroars,andasa

finale,hisbreastopensandrevealsabasketoflilies!”hesnorted.“Goodenough

initself,Isuppose;buttodemandsuchagewgawofme!Me!Theinventorof

flyingmachines,andtanks!”

“Andparachutes,”addedEzio,softly.

“Diditcomeinhandy?”

“Veryhandy.”

“Good.”Leonardowavedahandtowardthetray.“Helpyourselves.Butnot

me.”Hisvoicefellalittle.“Etienne’sright—themostIcanstomachthesedays

iswarmmilk.”

Theyweresilent.ThenMachiavellisaid,“Doyoupaintstill?”

Leonardogrewsad.“I’dliketo...ButsomehowI’velosttheforce.Can’t

seemtofinishthingsanymore.ButI’veleftSalaitheGiocondainmywill.It

mighthelphimoutinhisoldage.IthinkFranciswouldlovetobuyit.Mind

you,Iwouldn’tgiveyoutuppenceforitmyself.Notmybestwork,notbyfar.I

preferthethingIdidofdearlittleSalaiasJohntheBaptist...”Hisvoicetrailed

off,andhelookedintothemiddledistance,atnothing.“Thatdearboy.Sucha

pityIhadtolethimgo.Imisshimsomuch.Buthewaswretchedhere.He’s

betterofflookingafterthevineyards.”

“Itendvinesmyself,thesedays,”saidEzio,softly.

“Iknow!Goodforyou.Muchmoresensibleforamanofyouragethan

runningaroundhackingofftheheadsofTemplars.”Leonardopaused.“I’m

afraidtheywillalwaysbewithus,whateverwedo.Perhapsit’sbettertobowto

theinevitable.”

“Neversaythat!”criedEzio.

“Sometimeswehavenochoice,”Leonardorepliedsadly.

Therewassilenceagain,thenMachiavellisaid,“What’sthistalkofwills,

Leonardo?”

Leonardolookedathim.“Oh,Niccolò.What’sthepointofpretense?I’m

dying.That’swhyIaskedyoutocome.Wethreehavebeenthroughsomuch.I

wantedtosaygoodbye.”

“IthoughtyouhadplanstovisitKingHenryofEngland?”

“He’sabullishyoungpuppy,andI’dliketo,”Leonardoreplied.“ButIwon’t.

Ican’t.ThisroomisthelastplaceI’lleversee.Andthetreesoutside.Fullof

birds,youknow,especiallynowit’sspringagain.”Helaysilentforsolong,

withoutmoving,thatthetwofriendslookedateachotherinalarm.Butthen

Leonardostirred.“DidInodoff?”heasked.“Ishouldn’t.Idon’thavetimefor

sleep.Begettingenoughofthat,soonenough.”

Thenhewassilentagain.Hewasasleeponcemore.

“We’llcomebacktomorrow,”Eziosaidgently.HeandMachiavelliroseand

madeforthedoor.

“Comebacktomorrow!”Leonardo’svoicestoppedthemintheirtracks.

“We’lltalksomemore.”

Theyturnedtohimasheraisedhimselfononeelbow.Thebearskinfellfrom

hisknees,andMachiavellistoopedtoreplaceit.

“Thankyou,Niccolò.”Leonardolookedatthem.“I’lltellyouasecret.Allmy

life—whileIthoughtIwaslearningtolive,Ihavesimplybeenlearninghowto

die.”

Theywerewithhimaweeklater,whenhebreathedhislast,inthesmallhoursof

May2.Buthenolongerknewthem.Hewasalreadygone.



“Arumor’salreadygoingaround,”saidMachiavelli,astheyrodesadly

homeward,“thatKingFranciscradledhisheadinhisarmsashedied.”

Eziospat.“Somepeople—evenkings—willdoanythingforpublicity,”he

said.

EIGHTY-FOUR

Theseasonsrevolvedfourmoretimes.LittleFlaviahadturnedten;Marcello

wasapproachinghisninthbirthday.Eziocouldnotbelievethathehadreached

theageofsixty-four.Timeseemedtospeedupmorerelentlessly,thelessyou

hadleftofit,hethought.Buthetendedhisvinesandenjoyedit,andstill,as

MachiavelliandSofiaendlesslypressedhimto,continuedwithhismemoir.He

hadreachedChapterXXIValready!

Hestilltrained,too,despitethenaggingcoughthathadneverquitelefthim.

ButhehadlongsincehandedhisAssassin’sweaponsovertoAriosto.Therewas

nonewsfromRomeorConstantinople,orindeedfromErasmusinRotterdam,to

givehimanycauseforanxiety,thoughthepredictedsplitintheChurchhad

occurred,withyoungLutherattheforefrontoftheReformationinthenorth;and

newwarsthreatenedtheworldonceagain.Eziocouldonlywatchandwait.Old

habitsdiedhard,hethought.Andhe’dbecomeenoughofacountrymantobe

abletocatchthescentofastorm.

Itwasafternoon,andhelookedfromhisverandahacrosshisvineyardstothe

south,wherehecouldseethreefiguresonacarriage,silhouettedontheskyline.

Hedidnotrecognizethem,anditwastoofarawaytoseewhatmannerofpeople

theywere,thoughhesawthattheirunfamiliarheadgearmarkedthemas

foreigners.Buttheydidnotstop.HeguessedtheyhopedtomakeFlorenceby

dusk.

Hewentbackintothevillaandmadeforhisroom.Hisden.Hehadthe

shuttersdrawntheretohelphimconcentrate.Anoillampwasburningonadesk

scatteredwithpapers.Hisday’sliteraryefforts.Heseatedhimselfreluctantly,

putonhisglasses,andreadwhathehadwritten,grimacingslightly.Thebattle

withtheWolfmen!Howcouldhehavefailedtomakethatinteresting?

Hewasinterruptedbyaknockatthedoor.

“Yes?”hesaid,notdispleasedtobeinterrupted.

Thedooropenedhalfway,andSofiastoodtherethoughshedidnotenter.

“I’mtakingMarcellointotown,”shesaidcheerily.

“What—toseeNiccolò’slatest?”saidEzio,lookingupfromhisreadingand

notreallypayingattentiontoher.“Ishouldn’thavethoughMandragolawasa

suitableplayforaneight-year-old.”

“Ezio,Machiavelli’splayclosedthreeweeksago.Besides,I’mnotgoingto

Florence,justtoFiesole.”

“Imissedhisplay?He’llbefurious.”

“I’msurehe’llbefineaboutit.Heknowsyou’vegotyourheaddown.We’ll

bebacksoon.KeepaneyeonFlavia,willyou?She’splayinginthegarden.”

“Ofcourse.I’mfedupwiththisanyway.IthinkI’lldosomepruninginstead.”

“Imustsayit’sapitytowastesuchagloriousafternooncoopedupinhere.”

Shegavehimaslightlookofconcern.“Somefreshairwoulddoyougood.”

“I’mnotaninvalid!”

“Ofcourseyouaren’t,amore.Iwasjustthinking...”Shegesturedtowardthe

crumpledpagesscatteredoverthedesk.Eziopointedlydippedhisquillanddrew

ablanksheettowardhim.

“Apresto!Besafe.”

Sofiaclosedthedoorsoftly.Eziowroteafewwordsandstopped,scowlingat

thepage.

Heputdownhisquill,tookoffhisglasses,andcrumpledthepageintoaball.

Thenhestalkedfromtheroom.Hedidneedsomefreshair.



Hewenttohistoolshedandcollectedapairofsecateursandatrug.Thenhe

madehiswayacrossthegardentowardthenearestrowofvines.Helookedidly

aroundforFlaviabuthecouldseenosignofher.Hewasn’tundulyworried.She

wasasensiblegirl.

Hewashalfwaytothevineyardwhenheheardasuddennoisefromanearby

shrubbery.Flaviainpealsoflaughter.Shehadambushedhim!

“Flavia,tesoro—staywhereIcanseeyou!”

Therewasmorelaughterasthebushshook.ThenFlaviapeekedout.Ezio

smiled,shakinghishead.

Justthen,hisattentionwascaughtbysomeoneontheroad.Helookedup,

and,inthefardistance,hesawafiguredressedinoddlycolored,motleygarb.

Butthesunwasbehindit,andtoobrightforhimtomakeitoutcompletely.He

heldhishanduptoshieldhiseyes,butwhenhelookedagain,thefigurehad

disappeared.

Hewipedhisbrowandmadehiswayacrosstohisvines.



Alittlelater,hewasdeepinthevineyard,pruningtheTrebbianograpes.They

didn’treallyneedit,butitgavehimsomethingtodowhilehismindbeavered

awayattheproblemofrecountingthestoryofhisfight,longagoinRome,with

thegroupoffanaticswho’dcalledthemselvestheSonsofRemus.Thevines

brushedhiselbowsasheworked.Hestoppedtoexamineabunchofgrapes,and

hepluckedonefromthecluster.Heexaminedit,rollingitaround.Hesqueezed

it,crushingit,andsawthatitwasjuicy.Hesmiled,andatethemangledgrape,

cleaninghisfingersonhiscoarselinentunic.

Hewipedhisbrowagain,satisfied.Abreezeblewup,makingthevineleaves

rustle.Hetookadeepbreath,scentingthewarmair,andclosedhiseyesfora

moment.

Thenhefeltthehairsonthebackofhisneckprickle.

Heopenedhiseyesandmadehiswayfasttotheedgeofthevines,lookingin

thedirectionofthevilla.There,ontheroadbyit,hesawFlavia,talkingtothe

oddlyclothedpersonhe’dseenearlier.Thefigureworeapeakedhood.

Hehurriedtowardthem,hissecateursheldlikeadagger.Thewindfreshened,

bearinghiswarningcriesaway.Hebrokeintoajog,wheezingwiththeeffort.

Hischesthurt.Buthehadnotimetoworryaboutthat.Thefigurewasbending

down,towardhisdaughter.

“Leaveheralone!”heshouted,stumblingon.

Thefigureheardhimthen,turningitshead,butkeepingitlowered.Atthe

samemoment,Flaviapluckedsomething,whichshe’devidentlybeenoffered,

fromitshand.

Eziowasnearlyuponthem.Thefiguredrewitselferect,headstilllow.Ezio

hurledhissecateursatit,asiftheywereathrowingknife,buttheyfellshortand

clatteredharmlesslytotheground.

Eziodrewuptothem.“Flavia!Goinside!”hecommanded,keepingthefear

outofhisvoice.

Flavialookedathiminsurprise.“But,Papa—she’snice.”

Eziosteppedbetweenhisdaughterandthestranger,andtookthepersonby

thecoatlapels.Thestranger’sheadcameup,andEziosawthefaceofayoung

Chinesewoman.Hereleasedher,takenaback.

Thechildheldupasmallovalcoinwithasquareholeatitscenterforhimto

see.Thewritingonit—ifitwaswriting—lookedstrange.Pictograms.AChinese

qián.

TheChinesewomanremainedmotionless,silent.Ezio,stilltense,lookedat

herclosely.Hewasbreathingheavily,winded,buthismindwasrazor-sharp.

Thenhesawthatathernecksheworeafamiliaremblem.

TheemblemoftheBrotherhoodoftheAssassins.

EIGHTY-FIVE

Later,whenSofiahadreturned,thethreeofthemsattalkinginthevillawhile

thechildrenwatchedcuriouslyfromthetopofthestaircase.Eziowasbeingas

hospitableashepossiblycouldtohisunexpectedguest,buthewasadamant.

“Idon’tknowwhatelsetosay,ShaoJun.Iamsosorry.”

TheChinesewomandidnotreply,butshewasnotangry.Shewasverycalm.

“Iamverysorry.ButIcannothelpyou.Idon’twantanypartofthis.”

ShaoJunraisedhereyestomeethis.“Iwanttounderstand.”

“Understandwhat?”

“Howtolead.HowtorebuildmyOrder.”

Hesighed,nowslightlyannoyed.“No.Forme,thatisover.Finito.”He

paused.“Now,Ithinkyoushouldgo.”

“Ezio,think!”Sofiascoldedhim.“ShaoJunhascomealongway.”Sheturned

totheirguest.“DidIpronounceyournamecorrectly?”

Junnodded.

“Willyoustayfordinner?”

Eziogavehiswifeablacklookandturnedtofacethefireplace.

“Grah-zie,”saidJun,inhesitantItalian.

Sofiasmiled.“Good.Andwehaveabedroomalreadymadeup.Youare

welcometostayforafewnights—oraslongasyoulike.”

Eziogrowledbutsaidnothing.Sofialeftinthedirectionofthekitchens,while

Ezioslowlyturnedandobservedhisguest.ShaoJunsatquietly,butshewas

completelyself-possessed.Shesurveyedtheroom.

“I’llbebackbeforedark,”hetoldherinabad-temperedvoice.

Hestormedout,throwinghismannerstothewind.Junwatchedhimgo,a

subtlesmileonherlips.

Onceoutside,Eziotookrefugeinhisvineyard.

EIGHTY-SIX

Eziowasinthechildren’sroom,watchingtheirsleepingfiguresbycandlelight.

Hesteppeduptothewindowandlockedit.HesatontheedgeofFlavia’sbed,

watchingherandMarcellowithaheavyheart.Theylookedsopeaceful—so

angelic.

Suddenly,theroomgotalittlebrighterasSofiaentered,holdinganother

candle.Helookedupatherandsmiled.Shesmiledbackandsatatthefootof

Marcello’sbed.

Eziosaidnothingforamoment.

“Areyouallright?”sheasked,alittletimidly.

Helookeddownathischildrenagain,lostinthought.“Ican’tseemtoleave

mypastbehindme,”hemuttered.Thenheturnedhisgazetohiswife.“Istarted

thisactofmylifesolate,Sofia.IknewIwouldn’thavetimetodoeverything..

.ButnowIworrythatIwon’thavetimetodoanything.”

Hereyesweresadbutfullofunderstanding.

Theyheardafaintcreakingfromaboveandlookedtowardtheceiling.

“Whatisshedoingontheroof?”Eziomuttered.

“Leaveherbe,”saidSofia.



Abovethem,ShaoJunstoodontheredtileshighupnearthechimneys.Shehad

takenupaposethatwassomethingbetweenanAssassinattackpositionand

simplythatofsomeonerelaxingandenjoyingherself.Shescannedthemoonlit

countrysideasthenightwindwhisperedaroundher.



Thenextday,Ezioemergedfromthevillaearly,togreyskies.Heglancedupat

theroof,but,thoughthewindowofherroomwasopen,therewasnosignof

ShaoJun.

Hecalledhername,buttherewasnoanswer.Hewenttogiveorderstohis

foreman,forthetimeofthevendangewasapproaching,andheprayedfora

goodharvestthisyear—thegrapescertainlypromisedit,andthesummer

weatherhadbeenfavorable.Theveraisonhadbeengood,too,buthewantedto

double-checkthesugarandacidlevelsinthegrapesbeforepicking.Thenhe’d

sendtheforemanintoFiesoleandasfarasFlorenceifneedbe,torecruitthe

seasonallaborthey’dneed.Itwasgoingtobeabusytime,anditwasonethat

Eziolookedforwardtoeveryyear—lotsofphysicalactivityandlittletimeto

thinkaboutanythingelse.ShaoJun’sarrivalhadthrownthehard-wonsecurity

heenjoyedofftrack.Heresentedit.Hefoundhimselfhopingthatshehadleft

beforedawn.

Oncehehadfinishedhismeetingwithhisforeman,hefeltanirresistible

impulsetoreturntothevillatoseeifhisprayerhadbeenanswered.Somehow,

hedoubtedit,buttherewasnooneaboutwhenheenteredthehouse.Grimly,

followingsomeinstinctthathollowedhisstomach,hemadehiswaytohisden.

Hestoppedshortatthedoor.Itwasopen.Hesweptintotheroomand

discoveredtheChinesewomanstandingbehindhisdesk—stilllitteredwith

discardednotesandpagesfromthedaysbefore—andreadingpartofthe

completedmanuscript.

Eziofellintoaredrage.“Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?Getout!”

Sheputdownthesheafofpapersshewasreadingfromandlookedathim

calmly.“Thewind—itopenedthedoor.”

“Fuori!”

Junwalkedquicklypasthimandoutoftheroom.Hemadehiswayquicklyto

thedeskandshuffledthepapersaround,pickinguponethatcaughthiseyeand

readingfromit.Then,unimpressed,hetosseditbackonthepileandturnedfrom

thedesktostareblanklyoutthewindow.HecouldseeJunoutthere,intheyard,

herbacktohim,apparentlywaiting.

Hisshouldersslumped.Afterafewmoreminutes’hesitation,helefttheden

andmadehiswayouttoher.

Shewassittingonalowstonewall.Heapproachedher,coughinglightlyin

thekeenOctoberwind.

Sheturned.“Duìbùqĭ—I’msorry.Itwaswrongofme.”

“Itwas.”Hepaused.“Ithinkyoushouldleave.”

Shesatsilentlyforamoment,then,withoutwarning,shequoted:“‘Myname

isEzioAuditore.WhenIwasayoungman,Ihadliberty,butIdidnotseeit;I

hadtime,butIdidnotknowit;andIhadlove,butIdidnotfeelit.Itwouldbe

thirtylongyearsbeforeIunderstoodthemeaningofallthree.’”Shepaused.

“Thatisbeautiful,”shesaid.

Eziowasstunned.HestaredpastJun,reflecting.Inthedistance,theycould

hearthejinglingofahorse’sreins.

“Iwanttounderstand,likeyoudo,”Junwenton.“Tohelpmypeople.”

Eziolookedatherwithafriendliereye.“IwasanAssassinforalongtime,

Jun.AndIknowthatatanymoment,someonecouldcomeforme.Ormy

family.”Hepaused.“Doyousee?ThatiswhyImustbecareful.”

Shenodded,andhecouldseethatshealmostfeltsorryforhim.Helooked

towardhisvineyards.“Ishouldbestartingtohirepeopletohelpmewiththe

vendange,but...”

Hetrailedoff.Juntiltedherhead,listening.

“Comeinside.Let’sgetsomethingtoeat.”

Sheslidoffthewallandfollowedhim.

EIGHTY-SEVEN

Themarketinthegreatsquaresouthwestofthecathedralwasasbusyasever.

Merchants,businessmen,servants,andpeasantsjostledeachotherinamoreor

lessfriendlywayastheypassedbetweenthestalls.Junstoodunderonesideof

thesurroundingcolonnade,watchingthebustleasEzio,nearby,haggledinthe

coldsunlightwithastallholderoverthepriceofagrapepicker’sbasket.Junwas

rapt,absorbingthesightsandsoundsofFlorence.Shestaredopenlyatpeople

justasopenlyaspeoplestaredather.Shewasunbothered.

Eziocompletedhispurchaseandcameover,tappingherontheshoulder.“I’ll

beluckyifthislaststhreeseasons,”hesaid.Shelookedathimasheshowedher

thebasket,unsurewhatsheshouldbelookingfortojudgeitsquality.Ezio

realizedthis,withasmile.

“Comeon,”hesaid.“Iwanttoshowyousomething.”

TheymovedthroughthecrowdsinthedirectionofthePiazzadellaSignoria,

andoncetheresatdownonabenchneartheloggia,watchingthepeoplecome

andgo,allbrightlyclad,exceptforthosedressedinexpensiveblacksilksand

velvets.

“Whoarethey?”askedJun.

“Theyarethebankers,”Ezioreplied.“It’sakindofuniform,sothattheycan

recognizeeachother—butithasanotheradvantage—wecanseethemcoming!”

Junsmileduncertainly.

“It’snice,no?”Eziocontinued.“Fulloflife!”

“Yes.”

“Butnotalways.Halfmyfamilywasmurderedinthispiazza.Executed.Right

here.Forty-fiveyearsago.Iwasnineteen.”

Heclosedhiseyesbrieflyatthememory,thenwenton:“Butnow,toseeit

likethis,sopienadivita,Ican’thelpbutfeelcontent.Andsatisfiedthatsomuch

painhasfadedaway.”Helookedatherearnestly.“ThelifeofanAssassinis

pain,Jun.Yousufferit,andyouinflictit.Youwatchithappen—allinthehope

thatyoucanhelpitdisappear,intime.It’sterriblyironical,Iknow.Butthereit

is.”

Theysatinsilenceforawhile.Junseemedwatchful.ThenEziosawhertense

atsomething.Somethingshehadnoticedinthecrowd.Aflashofacertain

color?Auniformperhaps?OneoftheSignoriaguards?Butthemomentpassed,

andheletitgo.

“Allright,”hesaid,rising.“Timetodragthisoldmanbacktohisvilla.”

Shejoinedhim,andtheyleft,crossingthesquareandtakingthestreet,so

familiartoEzio,whichraneast,justtothenorthofthePalazzo.

Junkeptcastingbackwardglances.

Thestreetthey’dreachedwasconsiderablyemptierofpeople,andfinally,as

theymovedalongit,theywerealone.Suddenly,EzioheardanoiseJundidnot.

Heturnedhisheadquickly.

Hetookabackwardleap,raisinghisbaskettoshieldJun,andinthenickof

time—athrowndaggerembeddeditselfinit.Barelyasecondlater,someone

landedEzioasavagekickinthegut.Hestaggeredbackwardandfellagainsta

stonewall.

Meanwhile,Junhadreactedwithlightningspeed.Shewasalreadystanding

betweenEzioandhisassailant—anotherChinesewoman,similarlydressedto

Jun,butstrippeddowntocombattunicandtrousers.

Thetwowomencircledeachother,almostballeti-cally,slowly,thenlunging

ateachotherlikestrikingsnakes,landingslicingblowswiththeedgesoftheir

hands,orkickingsofastthatEziocouldbarelyfollowthemovement.

ButhecouldseethatJunwasgettingtheworstofit.Hesprangforwardand

struckherattackerontheheadwiththebasket,sendinghersprawling.

Shelayprone,motionless.Junsteppedforward.

“Jun!She’sfakingit!”

Atthesamemomentthemysteriouswomanwasbackonherfeet,fallingon

Junwithanotherkniferaised.Theybothfelltotheground,rollinginthedust,

fightingwiththeferocityandtheviciousagilityofcats,theirlimbsandbodies

movingsofastthattheybecameblurred.

Thenasuddenscream.Theassailantbrokefree,herownknifeburiedinher

chest,justabovethesternum.Shetotteredsidewaysforamoment,thenkeeled

over,strikingherheadonaflintbuttress,andwasstill.Thistimeshewasnot

faking.

Eziolookedround.Nooneinsight.

HegrabbedJun’shand.

“Comeon!”hesaidthroughclenchedteeth.



AstheyrodehomeinEzio’scarriage,Junbegantoexplain.Eziorealizedthat

shemighthavedonesoearlierifhe’dgivenherthechance.Helistenedgrimly

asshetoldhertale.

“ItwasmyMentor’swishtomeetyou.WeleftChinatogether,insecret.But

wewerefollowed.TheycaughtupwithusinVenice.Theytookmymaster

prisonerthere.Hebademeflee,completeourmission.Ididnotseehimagain.”

“Whoarethey?”

“ServantsofZhuHuocong—theJiajingEmperor.Ayoungman,scarcely

morethanaboy,andnotborntorule,butfategavehimthethrone,andhe

controlsuswitharuthlessandbloodyhand.”Shepaused.“Iwasborna

concubine,butmyMentorfreedmewhenIwasyoung.Wereturnedlatertosave

moregirls,buttheywere—”Shepaused.“Theemperorthoughtthatifhedrank

theirmonthlyblooditwouldgivehimeternallife.”Shebrokeoff,swallowing

hardbeforemusteringherself-control,withaneffort,andcontinuing:

“Jiajingisacruelman.Hekillsallwhoopposehim,andhepreferslingchito

beheading.”

“Lingchi?”

Junmadeseveralslicingmotionsacrossherpalm.“Slowprocess.Many

thousandcuts.Then—dead.”

Ezio’sfacesetlikegranite.Hewhippedhishorseson.

EIGHTY-EIGHT

SofiawasinEzio’sden,stokingafreshfire,whensheheardthecarriagetearup

tothefrontofthehouse.Alarmed,sherosequicklytoherfeet.Amomentlater,

Ezioburstin,closelyfollowedbyShaoJun.Herushedtothewindowandclosed

theshutters,boltingthem.Thenheturnedtohiswife.

“Packsomebags.Theyareputtingfreshhorsestothecoach.Someofourmen

willgowithyou.”

“What—?”

“YoumuststayatMachiavelli’stonight.”

“What’shappened?”

“Amisunderstanding.”

SofialookedfromhimtoJun,wholoweredhereyes,embarrassedathaving

broughthertroublestotheirdoor.

“Givemeamoment,”shesaid.



Soonafterward,sheandthechildrenwereinstalledinthecarriage.Eziostoodat

itsdoor.

Theylookedateachother.Bothwantedtosaysomething,butnowordscame.

Eziosteppedbackandnoddedtothecoachman.Hecrackedthereins,andthe

horsesmovedforwardintothegatheringgloom.

Astheygatheredpace,Sofialeanedfromthewindowandblewhimakiss.He

raisedhisarminfarewell,then,withoutwaitingtowatchthemoutofsight,

returnedtothevillaandclosedandlockedthedoor.

EIGHTY-NINE

EzioandJunsatfacingeachotheronwoodenbenches,drawnupinfrontofa

roaringfire.Waiting.

“WhenIfirstfoughttheBorgia,itwasrevengethatdroveme,andmyfirst

impulsewastoaimforthehead,”Eziowastellingher.“Intime,however,I

learnedthatthosewhoinspirefearhavemoredevotedfollowersthanthosewho

preachlove.KillingRodrigoandCesarewouldhaveachievednothingifIhad

notbeenabletoreplacetheirreignofterrorwithonethatinvolvedsome

measureoffraternity.”Hepausedinthought.“SoIspentmanyyearsteaching

menandwomentothinkandactforthemselves.FirstinRome,thenamongour

BrotherhoodinConstantinople.”

“Ilongtoreadofyourdeeds.Youmustfinishyourbook.”

“Theimportantthingtorealizeisthis:LovebindsourOrdertogether;loveof

people,ofcultures,oftheworld.”Hewassilentagainforamoment.“Fightto

preservethatwhichinspireshope,andyouwillwinbackyourpeople,Shao

Jun.”

Junstaredintotheflames,thinking,asthegrandscopeofherfuturewidened

inherimagination.“Itwilltakealong,longtime,”shesaidquietly,atlast.

“Butifyoudoitright,itwillhappen.”

Juntookadeepbreathandstraightenedup,adeterminedexpressiononher

face.ShelookedacrossatEzioandnodded.Heleanedacrossandpattedheron

theshoulder.

“Getsomerest,”hesaid.

Sheroseandbowedslightly,thenlefttheroom.

Ezioturnedtothefire,itsglowreddeninghisface.



Deepinthenight,disturbedbystealthysoundsoutside,Eziomadehiswaytothe

kitchens.Fromhighinthesky,themoonshonethroughthebarredwindows.

Ezioapproachedtheknifeblocksandpulledseveralknivesout,testingthemfor

balance.Notsatisfied,heputthembackandcastaroundforsomeotherweapon.

Anironladle?No.Achoppingboard?No.Apoker,perhaps?Yes!Hewentover

tothestoveandpickedoneout,threefeetlongandmadeofheavysteel.He

testedit,makingtwoorthreepracticepasseswithit.

Hetensedatanoisefromabove.Secondslater,abodydroppedpastthe

window.EziosawJunlandinacrouch,thenboltintothenight.Hemadeforthe

doorandunlockedit,flingingitopen.

TherewasaChinesemanthere,poisedforattack,whoinstantlylungedathim

withadao.Eziosteppedbackandslammedthedoorontheman’sarm,

smashingtheradiusandulna,andthesworddroppedfromhishand,asthe

Chinesehowledinagony.Eziothrewthedooropenagainandbroughtthepoker

downhardontheman’shead,splittingtheskull.Hejumpedoverthecorpseand

dashedoutside.

HesoonfoundJun,engagedincombatwiththreeattackers.Itwasgoing

badlyforher,buthe’darrivedintimetoturnthetide,andtheservantsofthe

JiajingEmperorretreatedinthedirectionofthevineyard.

There,theytookastand.Jun,fightingwithonlyherfistsandfeet,tookoneof

theiropponentsoutalmostimmediately,asEziobroughtdownasecondwithhis

poker,rammingitspointsquarelyintohisattacker’sface.ButthethirdChinese

managedtoknockthepokerfromhisgrasp,anditwasonlybyreachingoutfast

forawoodendowel,whichhepluckedfromthevines,thathemanagedtoregain

hisadvantage,beatingthemantotheground,thenstrikinghimhardonthenape

oftheneck,crushingthecervicalvertebrae.

Itwasover.Eziocollapsedonthegentleslopewherehisvineswereplanted,

exhaustedbutuninjured.HecaughtJun’seyeandtriedtolaugh,buthislaughter

turnedintoawheezingcough.

“Isoundlikeadyingcat,”hesaid.

“Comeon,I’llhelpyou.”

Shehelpedhimtohisfeet,and,together,theyreturnedtothevilla.

NINETY

Theywereawakelongbeforebreakofday.Themorningwascool.Somewatery

sunlightfounditswaythroughthehaze.

ShaoJunstoodintheroad,herpackonherback.Staringintothedistance,she

wasreadytodepart.Sheseemedlostinthought,andonlyturnedwhenEzio

approachedfromthevilla.Hisbreathingwasstilllaboredandheavy.

Hecameuptoher.“Itislongwayhome,no?”

“Butthereismuchtoseealongtheway.Dashi,xièxiènin—Thankyou,

Mentor.”Shebowedslightly.

Eziowascarryingsomething.Asmall,ancientbox.Hehelditouttoher.

“Here.Thismaybeofuseoneday.”

Juntookitandturneditinherhands.Thenshebegantoopenit,butEzio

stoppedher.

“No,”hesaid.“Onlyifyouloseyourway.”

Shenoddedandpackeditaway.EziosquintedpastJun,peeringuptheroad.

Hesawthebannersofapproachingsoldiers.

“Youshouldgo,”hesaid.

Junfollowedhisgaze,nodded,andsetoff,towardthevineyardsthatgrewon

theothersideoftheroad.Eziowatchedherasshemadeherwayquicklyover

thebrowofanearbyhill.

Thesoldiersrodeupsoonafterward,andEziogreetedthem.Whenhelooked

inJun’sdirectiononcemore,shehaddisappeared.



Afewweekslater,theharvestdone,andMarcello’sninthbirthdaybehindthem,

hewasbackinhisden,tryingtowriteagain.Hehadmadegoodprogressthis

time.Hestaredatthelastblanksheetinfrontofhim,thendippedhisquilland

scribbledafewwords,concentratinghard.Hereadthemback,andsmiled.Then

hedroppedhisquillasashootingpaininhischestcaughthimoffguard.

Therewasaknockatthedoor.

“Yes?”hesaid,collectinghimselfandreplacingthequillinitsstandbythe

inkwell.

Sofiaenteredtheroom.

“JusttakingthekidsdowntoFiesole.We’llbebackjustafterdark.”

“Good.”

“Marketdaytomorrow.Areyoucomingwithus?”

“Yes.”

“Sure?”

“I’llbefine.”

Sheclosedthedoorbehindher.Eziosatbroodingforamoment,then,

satisfied,begangatheringthepapersonhisdesk,stackingthemneatly,andtying

aribbonroundthem.

NINETY-ONE

Thenextdaywasfineandfresh.TheyhadstayedinFlorenceforlunch,and

Sofiawasbentonmakingjustafewmorepurchasesbeforethejourneyhome.

Ezio,walkingdownthestreetafewpacesbehindhiswifeandchildren,

suddenlywincedasafitofcoughingtookhim.Heleanedagainstawallfor

support.

Inamoment,Sofiawasbyhisside.

“Youshouldhavestayedathome.”

Hesmiledather.“Iamhome.”

“Sitdown,here.”Sheindicatedanearbybench.“Waitforus.We’llberight

overthere.Onlytakeaminuteortwo.”

Henodded,watchingherrejointhechildrenandwanderoffalittlefarther

downthestreet.Hemadehimselfcomfortable,lettingthepainsubside.

Hewatchedthepeoplewalkingtoandfro,goingabouttheirdailybusiness.

Hefeltpleasedandenjoyedwatchingthem.Hebreathedinthesmellsofthe

marketasitbrokeuparoundhim.Helistenedtothesoundthetradersmade.

“Iloveithere,”hesaidtohimself.Home.Homeatlast.

HisreveriewasinterruptedbythepeevishvoiceofayoungItalianwho

plumpedhimselfdownonthebenchnearhim.Theyoungmanwastalking,

apparently,tohimself.Hedidn’tlookatEzio.

“Aldiavolo!Ihatethisdamncity.IwishIwereinRome!Ihearthewomen

thereare...mmm...likeripeSangioveseonthevine,youknow?Notlike

here.Firenze!”Hespatontheground.

Eziolookedathim.“Idon’tthinkFlorenceisyourproblem,”heremarked,

painedatwhattheyoungmanhadsaid.

“Ibegyourpardon?”

Eziowasabouttoreply,butthepainseizedhimagain,andhewinced,and

startedtogasp.Theyoungmanturnedtohim.“Steady,oldman.”

HegrabbedEzio’swristasEziocaughthisbreath.Lookingdownatthehand

thatheldhim,Eziothoughtthegripwasuncommonlystrong,andtherewas

somethingstrange,almostfamiliar,abouttheman’sexpression.Buthewas

probablyimaginingitall.Heshookhisheadtoclearit.

TheyoungmanlookedatEzioclosely,andsmiled.Ezioreturnedthelook.

“Getsomerest,eh?”theyoungmansaid.

Herosetohisfeetandwalkedaway.Ezionoddedinbelatedagreement,

watchinghimgo.Thenheleanedback,seekingSofiainthethinningcrowd.And

sawheratastall,buyingvegetables.AndtherebesideherwereFlaviaand

Marcello,baitingeachother,playingtogether.

Heclosedhiseyesandtooksomedeepbreaths.Hisbreathingcalmed.The

youngmanwasright.Heshouldgetsomerest...



Sofiawaspackingthevegetablesshe’dboughtintoabasketwhensomething

coldcreptintoherheart.Shelookedup,thenaround,backtowhereEziosat.

Therewassomethingaboutthewayhewassitting.

Confused,notwantingtoadmitwhatshefearedtoherself,sheputahandto

hermouthandhurriedacrosstohim,leavingthechildrenplayingwherethey

were.

Asshegotcloser,sheslowedherpace,lookingathim.Shesatdownbyhis

side,takinghishand.Andthensheleanedforward,pressingherforeheadagainst

hishair.

Oneortwopeoplelookedintheirdirection,thenoneortwomore,with

concern;butotherwise,lifeinthestreetwenton.

NINETY-TWO

Muchlaterthatday,backhome,andhavingsentMachiavelliaway,Sofiatook

herselfintotheden.Thechildrenwereinbed.Shedidn’tthinkwhathad

happenedhadsunkinforthem,yet.

Intheden,thefirehadgoneout.Shelitacandle.Shewalkedtothedeskand

pickeduptheneatlystackedsheafofpapers,tiedwitharibbon,thatlayonit.

Andshebegantoread:

WhenIwasayoungman,Ihadliberty,butIdidnotseeit;Ihadtime,

butIdidnotknowit;andIhadlove,butIdidnotfeelit.Manydecades

wouldpassbeforeIunderstoodthemeaningofallthree.Andnow,inthe

twilightofmylife,thisunderstandinghaspassedintocontentment.Love,

liberty,andtime...oncesomuchatmydisposal,arethefuelsthatdrive

meforward;andlove,mostespecially,mydearest,foryou,ourchildren,

ourbrothersandsisters...andforthevastandwonderfulworldthat

gaveuslifeandkeepsusguessing.Withendlessaffection,mySofia,Iam

foreveryours.



EzioAuditore



Clickhereformorebooksbythisauthor

LISTOFCHARACTERS

Adad:stonemason

AlMualim:MentoroftheBrotherhood

Al-Sayf,Malik:AssassincomradeofAltaïr

Al-Sayf,Tazim:AssassinandMalik’sson

Al-Scarab:piratecaptain

Auditore,Claudia:Ezio’ssister

Auditore,Ezio:MasterAssassin

Auditore,Federico:Ezio’selderbrother

Auditore,Giovanni:Ezio’sfather

Auditore,Mario:Ezio’suncle

Auditore,Petruccio:Ezio’syoungerbrother

Azize:AssassininConstantinople

Baglioni,Pantasilea:Bartolomeod’Alviano’swife

Barleti,Tarik:Janissarycaptain

Bekir:Larnakashippingagent

Borgia,Cesare:Rodrigo’sson,1480–1519

Borgia,Rodrigo:PopeAlexanderVI,1451–1503

Buonarroti,Michelangelo:artist,sculptor,etc.,1475–1564

Cemal:AssassininAltaïr’stime

d’Alviano,Bartolomeo:ItaliancaptainandAssassin,akaBarto,1455–1515

daVinci,Leonardo:artist,scientist,sculptor,etc.,1452–1519

deSable,Robert:TemplarGrandMaster

Dilara:Ottomanspy,Tarik’sagent

Dogan:AssassininConstantinople

Dovizi,Duccio:Claudia’sex-boyfriend

Dürer,MeisterAlbrecht:painter,1471–1528

Erasmus,Desiderius:leaderoftheNorthernEuropeanAssassins

Evraniki:AssassininConstantinople

FerdinandII,King:kingofSpain,1479–1516

FrancisI,King:kingofFrance,1494–1547

Haras:AssassinadeptinAltaïr’stime

Heyreddin:AssassininConstantinople

Hulagu,Khan:grandsonofGenghisKhan,1217–65

Ibn-La’Ahad,Altaïr:MasterAssassin

Ibn-La’Ahad,Darim:Altaïr’seldestson

Ibn-La’Ahad,Sef:Altaïr’syoungestson

Ibn-La’Ahad,Umar:Altaïr’sfather

IlVolpe:memberoftheAssassinCouncil

Irini:AssassininConstantinople

Janos:Ottomanprisoner

JuliusII,Pope:PopeandfriendtotheAssassins,1443–1513

Juno:goddess,oneofThoseWhoCameBefore

Jupiter:god,oneofThoseWhoCameBefore

Kasim:AssassininConstantinople

KemalReis:PiriReis’suncle

Luther:akaMartinLuther,priest,1483–1546

Machiavelli,NiccolòdiBernardodei:philosopherandwriter,1469–1527

Ma’Mun:shippingagent

MehmedII,Sultan:previoussultanoftheOttomanEmpire,1432–81

Minerva:goddess,oneofThoseWhoCameBefore

Nazar:Janissarysoldier

Nikolos:guard

Osman,Ahmet:Suleiman’suncleandBayezidII’seldestson,1465–1513

Osman,Cem:BayezidII’sbrotherandpretendertothethrone,1459–95

Osman,SelimI:Suleiman’sfatherandBayezidII’syoungestson,ca.1465–

1520

Osman,Suleiman:theprinceandgovernorofKefe,1494–1566

Osman,SultanBayezidII:thecurrentsultan,Suleiman’sgrandfather,1447–

1512

Osman,Tomas:BayezidII’sbrother

Palaiologos,Constantine:lastByzantineemperor

Palaiologos,Manuel:heirofthePalaiologosfamily

Paola:Assassinmadame,memberoftheAssassinCouncil

Petros:soldier

PiriReis:admiral,cartographer,bombmaker

Polo,Maffeo:NiccolòPolo’sbrother,1252–1309

Polo,Niccolò:journalwriter,Marco’sfather,1252–94

Rosa:memberoftheAssassinCouncil

Salai:Leonardo’sassistant

Sartor,Sofia:ladyingreen

Sforza,Caterina:CountessofForlì

Shahkulu:Manuel’sbodyguard

ShaoJun:ChineseAssassin

Sofian,Abbas:Altaïr’sformercomradeandMasterAssassin

Sofian,Ahmad:Abbas’sfather

Tazim,Yusuf:leaderoftheAssassinsinConstantinople

Teragani:AssassininAltaïr’stime

Thorpe,Maria:Altaïr’swife

Vespucci,Amerigo:explorerandnavigator,1454–1512

Vespucci,Cristina:Ezio’sformergirlfriend

VilliersdeL’Isle-Adam,Philippe:memberoftheKnightsHospitalierat

Rhodes,1464–1534

ZhuHuocong:theJiajingEmperor

GLOSSARYOFFOREIGNTERMS

ARABIC

barakallahfeekGodblessyou

hajjpilgrimage

masa’ilkhergoodevening



CHINESE(Mandarin)

daoknife

dashi,xièxièninthankyou,Mentor

duìbùqĭI’msorry

lingchideathbyathousandcuts

qiánChinesecurrency



FRENCH

vendangevintage

veraisonripening



GREEK

apisteftounbelievable

edáxiokay

fíyeapóbrostámou!getoutofmyway!

HristémoumyGod

kouráyocourage

poikalàverygood

tidistihìawhatmisery



ITALIAN

aldiavolotohell

amorelove

aprestoseeyousoon

arroccocastling(chessmove)

bastardobastard

benegood,well

bisteccaallafiorentinaFlorentinesteak

bruttimabuoniItaliancookies

buffonejester

buonadonnagoodwoman

buonaseragoodevening

buongiornogoodday

canagliascoundrel

carciofinisott’olioartichokesinoil

castagnacciochestnutflourcake

cazzoprick,shit

chesuccede?what’shappening?

DiomiomyGod

duomodome

èincredibileit’sincredible

fettuntagarlicbread

finitofinished

fratellomiomybrother

fuoriout

graziethankyou

ildiavolothedevil

koggeship

levatricemidwife

maccaroininbroddopastasoup

magnetismomagnetism

meistermaster

merdashit

messer/esir

miacaramydear

miomy

miobelmenestrellomyhandsomeminstrel

molechesoft-shellcrab

moltocuriosoverycurious

navigatorenavigator

nessunproblemanoproblem

nonmisorprendeI’mnotsurprised

pandiramerinorosemarybread

panzanellaFlorentinebread

pecorinocheese

perdonate,buonsignorepardonme,goodsir

perfettoperfect

pienadivitafulloflife

pregoplease

presuntuosopresumptuous

principeprince

raccoltoharvest

ragazzoboy

requiescatinpacerestinpeace

rixotodegòricewithfish

salametoscanoTuscansalami

salsiccedicinghialewildboarsausages

saluteavoi,Assassinihealthtoyou,Assassins

salvehello

sesoloifonly

sìyes

sì,damoltotempoyes,alongtime

sieursire

soldimoney

spaghettialloscoglioreefspaghetti

tesorotreasure

tonnoalcartocciotunainfoil

unatortura!torture

vabenefine



TURKISH

adiherifbastard,pig

affedersiniz,efendimexcuseme,sir

akçeTurkishcoin

allahaismarladikgoodbye

AllahashkinainGod’sname

amanAllahimohmyGod

aynenoyleexactly

beylord

beyefendigentleman

birseydegilyou’rewelcome

çoktesekkürederimthankyouverymuch

çoküzüldümIamsosorry

efendimsir

effendimaster

EkselânslariHisExcellency

evetyes

gerzekidiot

ghaziholywarriors

gülegülegoodbye

güzelbeautiful

haydirastgelegoodluck

inanilmazincredible

kanunlaw

kardeslerimbrothersandsisters

karesisquare

kargasaturmoil

kesinliklecertainly

koftameatball

merhabahello

pekalawell

pekgüzelverybeautiful

prensprince

sagliginizatoyourhealth

saraypalace

SayinMr.

sehzademprince

serefecheers

sharbatMiddleEasterndrink

sinaviciniyisanslargoodluckonthetest

sövalyeknight

tesekkürederimthankyou

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Specialthanksto

YvesGuillemot

JeanGuesdon

CoreyMay

DarbyMcDevitt



Andalso

AlainCorre

LaurentDetoc

SébastienPuel

GeoffroySardin

XavierGuilbert

TommyFrançois

CecileRusseil

ChristeleJalady

TheUbisoftLegalDepartment

ChrisMarcus

EtienneAllonier

MariaLoreto

AlexClarke

AliceShepherd

AntonGill

GuillaumeCarmona

ClémenceDeleuze

AcetitlesbyOliverBowden

ASSASSIN’SCREED:RENAISSANCE

ASSASSIN’SCREED:BROTHERHOOD

ASSASSIN’SCREED:THESECRETCRUSADE

ASSASSIN’SCREED:REVELATIONS

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Assassin's Creed Revelations PDF Free Download

Assassin's Creed Revelations PDF free Download. Think more deeply and widely.

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TableofContents
TitlePage
CopyrightPage

PARTI
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY-FOUR
TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY-SEVEN
TWENTY-EIGHT
TWENTY-NINE
THIRTY
THIRTY-ONE
THIRTY-TWO
THIRTY-THREE
THIRTY-FOUR
THIRTY-FIVE
THIRTY-SIX
THIRTY-SEVEN
THIRTY-EIGHT
THIRTY-NINE
FORTY
FORTY-ONE
FORTY-TWO
FORTY-THREE
FORTY-FOUR
FORTY-FIVE
FORTY-SIX
FORTY-SEVEN
FORTY-EIGHT
FORTY-NINE
FIFTY
FIFTY-ONE
FIFTY-TWO
FIFTY-THREE
FIFTY-FOUR
FIFTY-FIVE
FIFTY-SIX
FIFTY-SEVEN

PARTII

FIFTY-EIGHT
FIFTY-NINE
SIXTY
SIXTY-ONE
SIXTY-TWO
SIXTY-THREE
SIXTY-FOUR
SIXTY-FIVE
SIXTY-SIX
SIXTY-SEVEN
SIXTY-EIGHT
SIXTY-NINE
SEVENTY
SEVENTY-ONE
SEVENTY-TWO
SEVENTY-THREE
SEVENTY-FOUR
SEVENTY-FIVE
SEVENTY-SIX
SEVENTY-SEVEN
SEVENTY-EIGHT

PARTIII
SEVENTY-NINE
EIGHTY
EIGHTY-ONE
EIGHTY-TWO
EIGHTY-THREE
EIGHTY-FOUR
EIGHTY-FIVE
EIGHTY-SIX
EIGHTY-SEVEN
EIGHTY-EIGHT
EIGHTY-NINE