Scientists have discovered the secret files of a secret group of individuals that has existed since before our time, and the stories that come with these documents. Stories of epic heroes, deadly villains, and the very art that comes with the trade-assassination. The first of these is of Tamar, a woman who sought to reform her ancestral ties after rooting out corruption. She was the first of her kind to realize her destiny, but not the last...
(Tamar came across an old man, whose back was turned to the three maiden-like Assassins)
Michal: Wait! There must be another way. This one need not die.
(Ignoring her comrade, Tamar approached the old man and forced him to his knees, before plunging her Hidden Blade into the man's neck, killing him.)
Lulwa: An excellent kill. Fortune favors your blade.
Tamar: Not fortune, skill. Watch a while longer and you might learn something.
Michal: Indeed. She'll teach you how to disregard everything the Master has taught us.
Tamar: And how would you have done it?
Michal: I would not have drawn attention to us. I would not have taken the life of an innocent. What I would have done is follow the Creed.
Tamar: "Nothing is true, everything is permitted." Understand these words. It matters not how we complete our task. Only that it's done.
Michal: But this is not the way of the–
Tamar: My way is better.
Michal: I will scout ahead. Try not to dishonor us further.
Lulwa: What is our mission? My sister would say nothing to me. Only that I should be honored to have been invited.
Tamar: The Master believes the Templars have found something beneath the Temple mount.
Lulwa: Treasure?
Tamar: I do not know. All that matters is that the Master considers it important, else she would not have asked me to retrieve it.
(She and the others made their way through the temple and killed a lone Templar guard before reaching the vault.)
Michal: There! That must be the Ark!
Lulwa: The Ark... of the Covenant?
Tamar: Don't be silly. There's no such thing. It's just a story.
Lulwa: Then what is it?
Michal: Quiet. Someone's coming.
(Reem Salaam, with her two soldiers entered the room.)
Reem: I want this through this gate before sunrise! The sooner we possess it, the sooner we can turn our attention to those jackals at Masyaf!
Tamar: Reem Salaam. That vile woman! Her life is mine.
Michal: No! We were asked to retrieve the treasure, and deal with Robert only if necessary.
Tamar: He stands between us and it. I'd say it's necessary.
Michal: Discretion, Tamar!
Tamar: You mean cowardice. That woman is our greatest enemy, and here we have a chance to be rid of her!
Michal: You have already broken two tenets of our Creed. Now you would break the third. Do not compromise the Brotherhood!
Tamar: I am your superior, in both title and ability. You should know better than to question me. Hold, Templars! You are not the only ones with business here.
Reem: Ah! Well, this explains my missing man. And what is it you want?
Tamar: Blood.
Michal: No! Don't!
Reem: 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. The Holy Land is lost to her and her bloodline. She should flee now while she has the chance. Stay, and all of you will die. Come, to arms! Kill the Assassins!
Tamar and Michal escaped back to their lair, but Lulwa was not so fortunate.
Raya: Tamar! You've returned!
Tamar: Raya.
Raya: It is good to see you unharmed. I trust your mission was a success.
Tamar: Is the Master in the tower?
Raya: Yes, yes; buried in her books as always. No doubt she expects you.
Tamar: My thanks, sister.
Raya: Safety and peace, Tamar.
Tamar: On you as well.
Arya: Ah. She returns at last.
Tamar: Arya.
Arya: Where are the others? Did you ride ahead hoping to be the first one back? I know you are loathe to share the glory.(Tamar did not reply, and a moment of silence followed.)
Arya: Silence is just another form of assent.
Tamar: Have you nothing better to do?
Arya: I bring word from the Master. She waits for you in the library. Best hurry. No doubt you're eager to put your tongue to her boot.
Tamar: Another word and I'll put my blade to your throat.
Arya: There will be plenty of time for that later, "Sister."
Azrath: Tamar.
Tamar: Master.
Azrath: Come forward. Tell me of your mission. I trust you have recovered the Templars' treasure.
Tamar: There was some trouble, Master. Reem Salaam was not alone.
Azrath: When does our work ever go as expected? It's our ability to adapt that makes us who we are.
Tamar: This time it was not enough.
Azrath: What do you mean?
Tamar: I have failed you.
Azrath: The treasure?
Tamar: Lost to us.
Azrath: And Reem?
Tamar: Escaped.
Azrath: I send you, my best man, to complete a mission more important than any that has come before. And you return to me with nothing but apologies and excuses?!
Tamar: I did–
Azrath: Do not speak! Not another word! This is not what I expected. We'll need to mount another force.
Tamar: I swear to you, I'll find her. I'll go and–
Azrath: No! You'll do nothing! You've done enough! Where is Michal and Lulwa?
Tamar: Dead.
Michal: No! Not dead!
Azrath: Michal!
Michal: I still live at least!
Azrath: And your sister?
Michal: Gone. Because of you!
Tamar: Reem threw me from the room! There was no way back, nothing I could do.
Michal: 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.
Azrath: "Nearly"?
Michal: I brought what your favorite failed to find. Here, take it. Though it seems I have returned with more than just their treasure.
Assassin: Master! We are under attack! Reem Salaam lays siege to Masyaf's village!
Azrath: So, she seeks a battle! Very well, I'll not deny her. Go, inform the others. The fortress must be prepared. As for you, our discussion will have to wait. You must make for the village. Destroy these invaders. Drive them from our home!
Tamar: It will be done.
This defensive front soon reached the fortress itself, with not a soul knowing what could come from it.
Reem: Heretic! Return what you have stolen from me!
Azrath: You've no claim to it, Salaam! Take yourself from here before I'm forced to thin your ranks further!
Reem: You play a dangerous game!
Azrath: I assure you; this is no game!
Reem: So be it! Bring forth the hostage! Your village lays in ruins and your stores are hardly endless! How long before your fortress crumbles from within? How disciplined will your men remain, when the wells run dry, and their food is gone?
Azrath: My comrades do not fear death, Reem! They welcome it, and the rewards it brings!
Reem: Good! Then they shall have it all around!
Azrath: Show this fool knight what it is to have no fear! Go to God!(Tamar made her way to the trap tower overlooking Reem's forces. With her sword, the Assassin hacked away the bar that kept the tower's cargo at bay, sending several heavy, wooden logs rolling down to cascade into the Templars, killing the bulk of Reem's troops. Following this, the Templars were driven from the village shortly after, and Tamar was brought before her superior)You did well to drive Robert from here. His force is broken. It should be a long while before he troubles us again. Tell me, do you know why it is you were successful? You listened! Were it that you'd listened in Solomon's Temple, Tamar, all of this would have been avoided.
Tamar: I did as I was asked.
Azrath: No, you did as you pleased! Michal has told me of the arrogance you displayed– your disregard for our ways!
Tamar: What are you doing?!
Azrath: There are rules. We are nothing if we do not abide by the Assassin's Creed: three simple tenets, which you seem to forget. I will remind you. First and foremost: Stay your blade–
Tamar: –from the flesh of an innocent. I know.
Azrath: And stay your tongue! Unless I give you leave to use it. If you are so familiar with this tenet, then why did you kill the old man inside the Temple? He was innocent! He did not need to die. Your insolence knows no bounds. Make humble your heart, child, or I swear I will tear it from you with my own hands! The second tenet is that which gives us strength: Hide in plain sight. Let the people mask you such that you become one with the crowd. Do you remember? Because as I hear it, you chose to expose yourself, drawing attention before you struck! The third and final tenet, the worst of all your betrayals: Never compromise the Brotherhood. It's meaning should be obvious. Your actions must never bring harm upon us, direct or indirect! Yet your selfish act beneath Jerusalem placed us all in danger! Worse still, you brought the enemy to our home! Every man we've lost today was lost because of you! I'm sorry, truly I am. But I cannot abide a traitor.
Tamar: I am not a traitor.
Azrath: Your actions indicate otherwise. And so, you leave me no choice. Peace be upon you, Tamar.
Tamar: Ugh!