I lay in bed one night, after yet more training with Altaïr, thinking about the mission. I was about to fall asleep, but felt an odd presence in the room.

"Altaïr?" He emerged from the shadows.

"I fear I may have taught you too much… What do you need?"

"I have a question."

"Again? What is it?"

"Why me? Why am I going to kill Richard?"

"You are still young. No one would suspect a child. It is thought of as…less than noble."

"Oh. Have you assassinated anyone?"

"Yes. I assassinated nine prominent warmongers, to quiet the crusades."

"My history books said you didn't change much…"

"Well, I tried."

"Just one more thing…"

"What?"

"It's about Rei."

"I had the pleasure of talking with her earlier. I can see why you love her, Shinji."

"But…even if I succeed, when I come back here, will she still feel the same?"

"How do you mean?"

"If I take too long, and she…gives herself…to the initiates, will she still want to come back with me?"

"Hard to tell, Shinji. We don't take in that many, especially now. There aren't that many targets these days. I think I can make a deal to keep her safe. I'll let you know tomorrow."

"But tomorrow's when I leave for the mission!"

"You'll leave in the evening, I'll find out by then. For now, just get some sleep."

"Ok…"

I slept soundly that night, tired from training. I now knew all I needed to do my job. I knew how to approach the target, how to kill while keeping a low profile, and how to take to the rooftops. I knew the King would be in Acre, and I knew the Hashashin safe house's location where I could wait for the search to be called off. All the pieces were in place.

That morning, Altaïr woke me, and lead me to the Master's desk in the library. The Master was at the window once again. Altaïr had told me that birds brought him messages through the window, and he was always waiting for news from the outside.

"Master, I've brought Shinji to you as requested. He is trained and ready."

"Very good, Altaïr. I will handle it from here. You may return to your business."

"Yes, Master." Altaïr left swiftly, dropping over the side of the mezzanine.

"Now, Shinji. You are almost ready to go. Is there anything else you need?"

"I don't think so…"

"Something to eat, maybe?"

"No… But, can I see Rei one last time before I go?"

"It is not policy to let them leave the garden."

"But… I don't have to kill Richard for you. I could kill myself, and then what would you do?"

The Master gave Shinji a dire look, then smiled. "You still have that gall; not bad, boy. Bring her over!" Rei was brought over by two other Hashashin. She wore the same clothes as the other girls, and looked beautiful, though out of place.

"Rei!" She looked up to Shinji, then down again, tears coming to her eyes.

"Shinji, I… I'm sorry. I didn't know what they'd make you do!"

"I'm going to do it, Rei. I'm going to get you back!"

"Thank you."

"Did…did Altaïr talk to you, Rei?"

"In fact he did," said the Master, walking between the two. "Altaïr made a deal to take Rei as his own, in return for finding me fifty more initiates."

"He…He lied?" I was ready to burst with rage; the man I trusted took Rei away from me! I looked over to Rei, who seemed to be trying to get my eye-contact. She nodded, and gave me a wink. After some thinking, I realized what was going on. Altaïr was keeping Rei safe until I could get back.

"Altaïr, you son of a bitch. You had me going for a second there."

"What was that, boy?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing. I'm ready to go, Master."

"Even though you know she has given herself up to another?"

"This is about my devotion to the order, Master."

"Very good, Shinji."

As I left the library for the stables, Altaïr intercepted me. We walked together through the town, heading down the slope towards the gates.

"Shinji, I hope I didn't worry you."

"That was low, Altaïr."

"It had to convince the Master that I was serious. Anything less would be suspicious."

"But wait, can't I just take Rei now and leave?"

"You could, but where would you go? You need the Master's power to return."

"I understand. What now?"

"Take a horse from the stables, and ride to Acre, following the signposts. Ride slowly when passing by guards, and blend in with scholars and monks to pass through checkpoints. Kill Richard, then immediately take to the rooftops. Good luck, Shinji."

"Thank you, Altaïr."

"Ride swiftly. I promise to keep my hands off of Rei."

I put up my hood, and took a horse. Riding through the night helped me to avoid most guard patrols, but there was still danger. I was stopped by a strange knight coming around a thin ridge. He was dressed in white and red, and bore a black cross on his tunic. I tried to remember what Altaïr had told me about different types of knights. A red and white outfit, a black cross… It was a knight Hospitlar! My mentor's words rang through my head as the knight told me to dismount:

'The Hospitlar are not well trained in battle, but be wary. If they see the Hashashin cloak, they will attack. Remember your combat pattern.

The knight took one look at my outfit, and drew his sword. I did the same, and prepared to fight. I spoke my training out loud while performing the actions.

"Wait for their strike…" The knight raised his sword for a downward strike.

"Parry inward…" I redirected the strike, bringing the knight in closer.

"Pull up the helmet and…" The blade strapped to my left wrist sprang open, and shot out into the opening at the knight's neck. I quickly pulled the helmet back down to block the torrent that followed my blade's withdrawal. As the knight crumpled, I remounted my horse, and rode towards the city gate as the sun rose. I fought back tears of sympathy for the knight; I could've probably run, but I needed to get Rei back as soon as possible. I regained my composure as I passed through the gate and into the marketplace, where merchants were just setting up for the day. I dismounted, and walked around, looking for someone to get information from, but everyone seemed to ignore me. Just as I started to despair, a familiar voice called out: "You sir! Come here! I have many things for sale! I've many things! … Too many things! I have too many things!" It was the merchant I had come to before. I knew I wasn't supposed to make contact with anyone during a mission, but I needed information. I approached him, and removed my hood. He instantly recognized me, and called me over.

"It's you! I never thought I'd see you again!"

"Well, I thought the same…"

"So, did you find your friend?"

"I did, but I need your help."

"What can I do for you, sir?"

"I need to know where King Richard is going to be parading today."

"He'll be over by the Acre Cathedral. … Put your hood on, sir!"

"What?"

"The guards are going by, and if you're going to approach Richard close enough to make the kill, you'll need to be anonymous."

"You're…you're with us?"

"Ten years so far, Intelligence Division."

"Wow. I'm…sorry."

"Anyway, head for the tallest spire in the city, over that way. Wait outside the Cathedral, and make your move when the time is right. Good luck, sir."

"It's Shinji, brother."

"Brother… No agent has called me brother in years."

I left the merchant, and headed through the city for Acre Cathedral. All around, signs announced Richard's arrival in the city. Getting to the cathedral grounds, I took a seat on the bench, and waited for the spectacle to begin, looking around and planning my escape.