"Wait! There must be another way! This one need not die!" yelled Malik.

The white-cloaked man ignored his friend's cries, extending his hidden blade, he plunged it into the neck of the man in front of them.

Altaïr wore a white cloak and hood, concealing his face for the most part. A thick leather belt filled with throwing knifes around his waist, along with grey pants and long leather boots that ended at the knee. Thick leather arm guards that held his hidden blade wrapped around his forearms, while brown gloves were wrapped around his hands. A long sword hanging from his belt, and a short sword strapped to his back along with another set of throwing knifes over his shoulder and; a red sash around his waist were also present. Malik was dressed similarly to him.

"Well done Altaïr, an excellent kill, fortune favors your blade." Kadar said.

"Not fortune, skill." He replied arrogantly. "Watch a little longer and you might learn something."

"Indeed. He'll teach you how to disregard everything the master's taught us." Malik said to his brother next to him.

Kadar, Malik's brother, simply watched quietly as they argued.

"Then how would you have done it?" asked Altaïr.

"I would not have drawn attention to us. I would not have taken the life of an innocent." He scolded pointing at the body. "What I would have done is follow the creed."

"'Nothing is true, everything is permitted'" He quoted. "Understand these words. It matters not how we complete our task, only that it's done."

"But this is not the way of-"

"My way is better." Malik heaved a heavy sigh and turned to both of them.

"I will scout ahead. Try not to dishonor us further." he said before running down the cavern.

With his brother gone Kadar turned to Altaïr with his question, "What is our mission? My brother would say nothing to me, only that I should be honored to have been invited."

"The master believes the Templars have found something beneath the Temple mount."

"Treasure?"

"I do not know, all that matters is the master considers it important, else he would not have asked me to retrieve it."

While they were talking they did not notice another was sneaking up behind them.

He raised his weapon, attempting to kill the Assassin.

"Altaïr!" Kadar warned. He turned around to defend himself, only to find that the aggressor had already been taken care of.

He dropping his weapon, he clutched at the sword protruding from his chest. The dark figure behind him kicked the body of their sword, before swiping it to the side to clean it of blood; then sheathed it again walking in to the light.

Altaïr quickly took notice that his savior wore white robes; Assassin robes. The white of the robes along with the belt and red sash were clearly visible, Altaïr had no doubt that they were armed head to foot with weapons just as he was, but it wasn't obvious. This newcomer also wore a black hood and cloak over their robes, hiding their weapons, and the hood obscuring the face just as his did.

"Our thanks brother." Kadar said to them. They silently nodded before running off, deeper into the cave. "It looks like you owe them thanks Altaïr."

"I could have handled it myself." He replied. He didn't take kindly to being made to look like a novice.

"Regardless, who was that?" Kadar asked.

"I do not know." Altaïr replied. But he was going to find out, this was the first time he had ever seen that Assassin in all his time of being at the Brotherhood. And with a general rule to not trust anyone Altaïr was way passed suspicious.

He quickly followed after them, leaping across the beams and found Malik waiting near the ladder. He quickly reached the top of the ledge, just in time to watch the Assassin in black silently assassinate the Templar guard.

They silently laid down the body and continued into the next room. Altaïr followed after them and Malik and Kadar soon did as well.

Once they reached the ledge above the next room, they saw a golden chest topped with another golden Treasure. It sat above the archway that continued into another room.

"There! That must be the Ark!" Malik said pointing to the chest.

"The…Ark…of the Covenant?" Kadar asked, surly it couldn't have been that one.

"Don't be silly. There's no such thing. It's just a story." Altaïr quickly shot down.

"Then what is it?"

The Assassin in black tapped Malik on the shoulder, when he turned to see what they wanted they had their finger to their lips, telling him to be quiet. They then silently pointed to the area below the golden chest.

"Quiet!" he whispered. "Someone's coming!"

Below the Assassins two Templars and their leader entered the room. Their leader being none other than Robert De Sable, the Grand Master of the Templar Order, and a Lieutenant in Richard's army.

"I want this through this gate by sunrise!" He ordered pointing at the chest. "The sooner we possess it, the sooner we can turn our attention to those jackals at Masyaf!"

"Robert De Sable." Altaïr growled. "His life is mine."

"No!" Malik objected. "We would want to retrieve the treasure and deal with Robert only if necessary."

"He stands between us and it. I would say it's necessary."

"Discretion, Altaïr!"

"You mean cowardice. That man is our greatest enemy. And here we have a chance to be rid of him!"

"You have already broken two tenants of our Creed. And now you will break the third. Do not compromise the Brotherhood!" He implored.

"I am your superior, in both title and ability. You should know better than to question me." Altaïr ordered ignoring him as he climbed down the ladder to confront the Templars. Malik and Kadar begrudgingly followed. Not noticing that the Assassin in black, did not.

"Hold Templars!" Altaïr called, causing them to turn and face him. "You are not the only ones with business here."

"Ah well, this explains my missing man. And what is it you want?" Robert asked.

"Blood."

Altaïr lunges for Robert with his hidden blade, Malik tried to stop him, only to end in failure. Robert, expecting the attack, grabs Altaïr's arms and holds him back, Altaïr struggling against him.

"You know not the things in which you meddle, Assassin. I spare you only that you may return to your master and deliver a message." Robert growled. "The Holy Land is lost to him and his. He should flee now while he has the chance. Stay, and all of you will die." Robert then threw Altaïr through the scaffolding causing it to collapse, and Altaïr to be sealed on the other side, leaving Malik and Kadar to deal with the Templars. "Men, to arms! Kill the Assassins!" He ordered drawing his sword, as the others did the same.

Two of them charged for Malik and Kadar, only to end up with a throwing knife in their throat. They all turned towards the source and found it to be the Assassin in black. They jumped from the ledge, drawing their sword and attacked Robert. He blocked the initial strike, only to have to dodge a kick to the stomach and block a strike from above. This Assassin defiantly had skills to keep him on his toes like this.

A cry of pain caught the attention of the Assassin in black; they turned to find that it was Malik clutching his arm below a nasty cut. The wounded Assassin killed his opponent before ordering a retreat and running for the ladder that got them here.

The Assassin in black agreed that this was the best plan, kicking Robert again and making a break for the ladder. The Assassin in black made it up quickly, followed by
Malik.

"Brother!"

"Kadar!" Malik yelled watching his little brother get captured. He was about to jump down to help, but the other Assassin grabbed him and started dragging him away. "Let me go! I have to help him!" he yelled at them. The other Assassin didn't listen, and only continued dragging him away.

Despite his struggling they managed to make it back to the horses. Malik managed to get on by himself, and as soon as they were on their horses they were off.

Things were silent for the majority of the ride; it was the kind of silence that occurs when you know something must be said, but are not sure of what to say. Malik was about to say something when he was stopped by a quiet and raspy voice.

"Forgive me." It took him a minute to grasp where it came from. Shocked even that they spoke, but sighed turning to the Assassin in black.

"You have nothing to be forgiven for."

"I forced you to leave Kadar." He didn't answer immediately; it was a sore subject.

"I understand why you did." He understood that they were quickly becoming out numbered. And he was wounded. The odds were quickly turning against them; the only logical solution was to run. It wasn't this mystery Assassin's fault; it was that arrogant ass Altaïr! If he had only listened to him, than none of this would have happened! Now all he could do was report to the master. Even if it meant telling him that the mission was a fail-

The Assassin in black held out the golden treasure that was on the chest.

"Perhaps this will earn you favor with the master." They replied.

As soon as they reached Masyaf they were immediately bombarded with questions. But Malik refused to say anything, or even let his wound be treated until he spoke to Al Mualim. So with the hesitation of the other Assassins we were directed to the master's study. Apparently already talking with Altaïr. As they walked into the aged master's study, he was already giving Altaïr a serious tongue-lashing.

"Do not speck! Not another word!" he commanded. "This is not what I expected. We'll need to mount another force."

"I swear to you I'll find him. I'll go and-"

"No! You'll do nothing! You've done enough! Where are Malik, Kadar, and Akilah?"

'So that's their name…' Altaïr thought before responding, "Dead."

Malik and Akilah walked in at that point; Malik clutching at his wounded arm.

"No! Not dead!" he exclaimed.

"Malik! Akilah!" Al Mualim shouted in surprise.

"We still live at least!"

"And your brother?"

"Gone. Because of you!" he growled, pointing at Altaïr.

"Robert threw me from the room! There was no way back, nothing I could do." He explained. But Malik would hear none of it.

"Because you would not heed my warning! All of this could have been avoided! And my brother…my brother would still be alive! Your arrogance nearly cost us victory today!"

"Nearly?" Al Mualim asked.

"We brought what your favorite failed to find. Here, take it."

A lower ranked Assassin walked in carrying the treasure and placed it on Al Mualim's desk.

"Though it seems we have returned with more than just their treasure…"

Another lower ranked Assassin ran in. "Master! We are under attack! Robert De Sable lays siege to Masyaf's village!"

"So he seeks a battle! Very well, I'll not deny him. Go, inform the others. The fortress must be prepared." Al Mualim ordered. The Assassin nodded and left to do as he ordered. "As for you, Altaïr, our discussion will have to wait. You must make for the village. Destroy these invaders. Drive them from our home!"

"It will be done." He answered. He quickly left and headed for the village.

"Malik, go and see to that wound." He nodded and left. Leaving only Akilah to be given orders. "Akilah, we have much to discus." Al Mualim sighed sitting down behind his desk. Akilah nodded in agreement. "Tell me my child, how did this tragedy occur?"

They reached up to their hood, slowly pulling it off. As the black hood fell it revealed a pail woman.

She had thick black hair held back in a lose ponytail at her neck, but some still hung in her face. Her face was long, giving her a regal look; the only flaw to be seen was a thin scar across one of her venomous green eyes as they stared blankly at her master.

"I'm afraid there is nothing good to speak of."