DNA SEQUENCE TWO - MEMORY STRAND TWO

As the sky grew brighter with the coming day approaching,

Altaïr headed into the local Assassin's Bureau by the walls to catch a much needed moment of relaxation after spending much of the day getting a tour of the city from Marwan and de Monts. He locked the main door so he, the Rafiq Marwan in charge of the Bureau and the other Assassins visiting Antioch could sleep well in peace, before retiring into the guest quarters and grabbing a few moments to lay his head on the simple bed. He reflected on his near-confrontation with the turcopoliers and was glad that Ralph arrived just in time to stop him from drawing his sword from its sheath and slicing them. He was much more glad to find out that despite his high government position in Antioch, he was a long time friend and ally of Asad ibn Marwan who he introduced Altaïr to earlier in the day.

The two individuals had exchanged information with the Assassin. Asad ibn Marwan, from his associations with Malik, had learned much of Altaïr's adventures in Masyaf, Acre, Jerusalem, Arsuf and Damascus in the past couple of months and was, in contrast to Malik, very impressed with the Master Assassin's skills. He asked him many questions much to Altaïr's and Monts' charigin. He provided information regarding the two Assassins mentioned earlier by Malik that had been captured by the Templars, informing Altaïr that they were held in the Citadel. Ralph des Monts added Marwan's information by informing him that the Citadel was under the control of Maréchal Tirel, Regent of Antioch. The Assassin wondered if this Maréchal Tirel was involved with the Templars; he had his suspicions though he did not voice them to Marwan or Monts while they were together.

He closed his eyes and fell sleep for the next couple of hours.