Assassin's Creed Revelations PDF Free Download

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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
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ASSASSIN’SCREED®REVELATIONS
AnAceBook/publishedbyarrangementwithPenguinBooksLtd.
PRINTINGHISTORY
Acepremiumedition/December2011
Copyright©2011UbisoftEntertainment.AllRightsReserved.Assassin’sCreed,Ubisoft,andtheUbisoft
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
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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
attackers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travelers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travelers
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travelers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travelers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
fathers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fathers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fathers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governors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Anaans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
Anaans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Anaans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fathers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effendis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wrestlers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Altaïrs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Altaïrs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cliffs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hours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waters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Masyafs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fathers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
Masyafs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drivers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mariners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fathers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others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.Yusufs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
Altaïrs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Yusufs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Altaïrs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Yusufs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
Yusufs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towers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Mentors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Yusufs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Yusufs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,?”
“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Altaïrs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soldiers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Mentors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Altaïrs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Altaïrs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Altaïrs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Umars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Altaïrs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fathers
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Yusufs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Altaïrs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Mentors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.Altaïrs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Altaïrs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.
Altaïrs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fathers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
armorers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Mentors
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traders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chambers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—.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towers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Altaïrs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Altaïrs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Altaïrs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Yusufs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rivers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rivers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Altaïrs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Altaïrs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waters
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executioners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anothers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gunpowders
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!Altaïrs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fathers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Yusufs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Yusufs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Yusufs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Yusufs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Altaïrs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brothers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Yusufs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Towers
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drivers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barriers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
traders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brothers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brothers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brothers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Altaïrs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mothers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
Altaïrs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,Jupiters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Altaïrs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,Midsummers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Dürers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fathers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years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rumors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strangers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pickers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Mentors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attackers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
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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Altaïrs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,MeisterAlbrecht: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Altaïrstime
Heyreddin:AssassininConstantinople
Hulagu,Khan:grandsonofGenghisKhan,1217–65
Ibn-La’Ahad,Altaïr:MasterAssassin
Ibn-La’Ahad,Darim:Altaïrseldestson
Ibn-La’Ahad,Sef:Altaïrsyoungestson
Ibn-La’Ahad,Umar:Altaïrs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:AltaïrsformercomradeandMasterAssassin
Sofian,Ahmad:Abbas’sfather
Tazim,Yusuf:leaderoftheAssassinsinConstantinople
Teragani:AssassininAltaïrstime
Thorpe,Maria:Altaïrs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
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