Chapter 13:
"1162 came by and the hunter's curse was lifted but the scars and trauma we suffered still remained ingrained on our souls and in our hearts.
Caroline herself was riddled with guilt for the pain that she was away from our children. She herself vowed to never let our children away from her sight even for a brief minute. The same could be said for our siblings for whom her clinging attachments never wavered.
Much travelling and moving around the Middle East, myself and Caroline accompanied by our children and our siblings, by 1188, we found ourselves in Masyaf and with it followed the 3rd Crusade a year later.
Caroline herself became determined to ally with the assassin brotherhood and at her request all of us decided to join the assassin brotherhood and fight for a cause that is greater than all of us."
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Flashback
1188 A.D.
Assassin's Fortress
Masyaf, Nizari State
Travelling into the state of Masyaf, the Mikaelson Family stops at the foot of the Fortress to rest, Caroline herself only stands watch with her husband Niklaus who asks, "My love, when you asked to come here, why was that?"
"I heard rumours there was a fortress here run by a man called Al Mualim, he's who I need to speak to." Caroline said staring out over towards the plains. Niklaus nodded and asked, "What is it, my love?"
"I just hope that we aren't too late." Caroline said.
Unknown to her, directly from above, a hooded figure watched the group before Caroline looked up and said, "Well this is a surprise, if you wanted us dead, we would be dead, wouldn't we?"
"You say this as if you know of us." The hooded man said. Who then added, "But it is an honour to meet you, Lady Caroline."
"If you know who I am, then you know of my husband and his siblings." Caroline said.
The man nodded and replied, "Indeed, it is a great honour, my Lord. I'm Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad." Niklaus nodded before asking, "We are looking for a man named Al Mualim, where can we find him?"
"He's in the Fortress, if you'd like, I will take you to him, in the morning, there is a place with comfortable beds to sleep in, if you will allow me to." Altaïr implored.
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The Mikaelson Family nodded their thanks as they were led to a nearby safehouse with comfortable beds, Caroline herself stood at the window and said, "Thank you, Altaïr, you've done well."
"Indeed, my lady. I have the information on the Templar members around Masayf, some in the far cities."
"Do you know of the whereabouts of the one they call 'The Grand Master'?" Caroline asked. Altaïr nods, "Yes, he is known as Robert De Sablé. We believe he plans to use the Crusades as a way to spread The Templar's ideologies and further the order's goals of conquest, control and destruction."
Caroline nods impressed with the young assassin and says, "You've impressed me, Altaïr. Well done, can you allow me a moment to speak with Al Mualim tomorrow, tell him that Caroline Forbes has arrived and is asking for his presence."
"I will inform him of this request, thank you once more, My Lady." Altaïr says before leaving the safehouse.
Niklaus walked over to his wife and asked, "Now that we're here, what are your plans?" "I plan on stopping the Templars, but I need you to trust me when I say we need to work with Altaïr, he is headstrong, but there is arrogance in his heart. But he is an ally nonetheless." Caroline said.
Niklaus nodded, "I will let our siblings and our children know, they will be careful."
Caroline smiled just as she went to the window to watch over the calm street.
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By the next morning, Caroline was greeted by Altaïr who then said, "Lady Caroline, Al Mualim has requested your presence, he's invited you and your husband for such a meeting."
"Then let us walk and enjoy the beautiful view that is Masayf, shall we?" Niklaus said walking up to his wife.
Altaïr nodded with a smile as he walked alongside the pair, who asked him questions about the strength of the Assassins here in Masayf, to which Altaïr answered with caution and awareness in case of Templar spies hiding in the shadows.
As they walked all the way to the fortress, Niklaus couldn't help but wonder about the assassins all staring in awe and wonder at his wife, even though it brought out an overprotective side…
The whispers were of respect and speaking of her value, as if she was important in the Assassin Brotherhood.
Approaching the fort itself, they are soon met by an older man who smiled and bowed down to Lady Caroline who had said, "Al Mualim, as salaam-alaikum."
"Wa-Alaikum-Salamm, Lady Caroline. A great honour this is." Al Mualim had said.
Al Mualim noticed Niklaus standing beside Caroline and smiled gratefully, "Niklaus Mikaelson, a great honor."
"Thank you, Al Mualim." Niklaus said with a nod and a bow towards the senior member of the Assassin Brotherhood.
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"I was told you seek an audience with me, Lady Caroline?" Al Mualim said. Caroline nodded as she replied, "A matter of importance pertaining our greatest enemy. The Templars."
"Your husband? Is he aware of this?" Al Mualim questioned. Caroline nodded as the pair were permitted to stay behind, Altaïr looked towards Al Mualim who then said, "Altaïr, please allow us some privacy."
"Very well, Mentor, I will wait outside." Altaïr said. The man then left his mentor and the esteemed legendary Assassin known as Caroline and her husband with Al Mualim.
Al Mualim then said, "What is it about the Templars, my lady?"
"I need the information on a witch working for them, her name is Abellona. Her family was part of the Templars." Caroline explained.
Al Mualim nodded pressing his hands close before asking, "Yes, I'm aware of the sorcerer, I've never seen her in person, she is quite lethal and dangerous."
"I know what I ask may not be possible, but is it possible that she's here in Nizari State?" Caroline asked. Al Mualim sighed and replied, "I do not know, but there is something that may help you. Have you heard of the Apple of Eden?"
Caroline's eyes widened as she hid her knowledge by playing dumb, "No, I haven't heard of such a thing, why do you ask?"
"I believe the Templars are searching for the Apple, but unfortunately, the apple has been divided into pieces. If you help us, I can provide a location for the Abellona that you speak of."
"Consider your request to be honoured, Al Mualim, we shall assist you and your brotherhood in such a journey and quest."
"The brotherhood greatly thanks you, my friends. Please ask your family to join us, we shall begin the ceremony for you join the Brotherhood." Al Mualim kindly asked.
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Much later in the day, the Asssassins are gathered in the main hall, the ceremony for inductions into the Assassin Order was to begin for the Mikaelson Family, for each Mikaelson they all stood on the podium as Al Mualim began the ceremony, "Laa shay'a waqi'un moutlaq bale kouloun moumkine. The wisdom of our Creed is revealed through these words."
"Where other men blindly follow the truth, remember…"
Each Mikaelson then repeated, "Nothing is true."
"Where other men are limited by morality or law, remember…"
"Everything is permitted." The Mikaelsons said in each ceremony.
"We work in the dark to serve the light. We are Assassins." Al Mualim said.
After the reciting of the creed was done, the Mikaelsons except for Caroline all sacrificed their left ring finger, as it turns out Caroline herself already sacrificed her left ring finger many centuries ago when she went back in time.
One by one, the Mikaelsons all executed a leap of faith into a bed of hay and once afterwards, they were bestowed the weapon of a hidden blade to carry amongst themselves. The blades were hidden beneath their white robes and wore the red sashes that represented a devotion and loyalty to a belief system and allowing them free will to do whatever it takes to protect people.
Each Mikaelson flexed their wrists allowing the sharp dagger to appear as they flexed their arms again pushing the dagger back.
Even Caroline herself looks on with a smile as she whispers to herself making sure that nobody heard her, "We're all back together again. Back where we belong with the Assassin Brotherhood."
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3 Years Later
1191 A.D.
Masyaf
Naziri State
3 years had passed in the time that Caroline Mikaelson and the Mikaelson Family had joined the Assassin Order and the Brotherhood, the numbers of the Brotherhood had grown strong, and Caroline herself was responsible for growing the numbers and leading the brotherhood with such passion and leadership, her husband Niklaus by her side as her trusted advisor, along with Elijah, Kol and the senior Assassin Altaïr as her second, third and fourth advisors.
But during the 3 years, Caroline herself had grown wary of Al Mualim, had grown unsure of his motives, his desires and the obsession with the Apple of Eden, especially after hearing of the various pieces of Eden that were spread throughout the Holy Land and during the Crusades as well.
Caroline herself saw the arrogance that Altaïr displayed recently when it cost the life of 1 assassin and caused injuries to another as she took it upon herself to demote him and punish him for the transgression.
Speaking with the various assassins that she had led, she then acted on the advice of Elijah and gave Altaïr a chance to redeem himself, giving him the mission of assassinating 9 members of the Templars and the only target left was Robert De Sable of the Templars, the Grand Master as it seemed.
"My Love, Altaïr has returned." Niklaus said standing by the stairs. Caroline looks up from her book as she sees Altaïr approach from the stairs as he says, "Mentor Caroline. Robert De Sable is now dead by my hand."
"Was he in Jerusalem?" Caroline looks to Altaïr who then says, "He was there, I then followed him to King Richard's Camp, he was expecting me but I made sure he died… He left a decoy in place by name of Maria Thorpe, a Templar Knight."
"Interesting, did she say anything?" Caroline asked. Altaïr held his hands behind his back and said, "Yes, Robert De Sable said that Al Mualim has been behind it all, that he is the final conspirator in retrieving the pieces of Eden, he'll use the Apple of Eden to enslave us all and create the new world order the Templars had spoken off."
"Then we must stop him, Altaïr, you will go to Malik and find discover what he has found. Contact us when Al Mualim is dead by your hand." Niklaus ordered. Altaïr nodded replying, "At once, my Lord."
Altaïr set off in pursuit of Al Mualim whilst Niklaus and Caroline looked at each other before Caroline finally spoke, "After Al Mualim dies, I plan to go to Acre, there's a Templar stronghold there, I have a feeling that they'll mount their forces and go to Cyprus to regroup."
"What of my mission, my love?" Niklaus asks.
Caroline replied, "Finding the Petrova Doppelganger, I have reason to believe there is a settlement in the East, perhaps they will provide us the answers." "I'll make haste after you've finished your mission." Niklaus had said.
"Thank you, my husband." Caroline said as she placed a hand on his cheek before whispering to him, "I love you."
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Caroline then sat down as she brought about a new piece of paper; she then began to write.
"Dearest Finn,
It has been long since we last saw you in the region of Tuscany, our brothers and sisters constantly think of you, your nephew and niece have written letters to you as time went on.
In Masayf, we found the Assassin Brotherhood and grew our numbers without the help of Al Mualim, who turned out to be a traitor and a liar who wanted power for himself.
I know I shouldn't have to remind you, but be on your guard my dearest brother. Trust yourself and trust your instincts. I'll write to you soon, when I can.
We'll be in Acre, there's a Bureau that belongs to the Assassin Brotherhood, I hope we see each other soon, big brother.
All of our love,
Caroline, Niklaus, Elijah, Kol, Rebekah, Henry and Aphrodite."