Eavesdropping was a virtual representation of one of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's genetic memories, relived by Desmond Miles in 2012 through the Animus.
Description[]
Altaïr awakened in Al Mualim's study in Masyaf, surprised that he was still alive. Al Mualim then explained that killing Altaïr would be a waste of time and potential, and offered the young Assassin a chance to atone for his past transgressions, enabling him to regain his former status.
Dialogue[]
Altaïr awoke, disoriented, in Al Mualim's study, with his Master standing before him.
- Altaïr: I am... alive? But I saw you stab me... felt death's embrace.
- Al Mualim: You saw what I wanted you to see, and then you slept the sleep of the dead. Of the womb, that you might awake, and be reborn.
- Altaïr: To what end?
- Al Mualim: Do you remember, Altaïr, what it is the Assassins fight for?
- Altaïr: Peace, in all things.
- Al Mualim: Yes, in all things. It is not enough to end the violence one man commits upon another. It refers to peace within as well. You cannot have one without the other.
- Altaïr: So it is said.
- Al Mualim: So it is! But you my son, have not found inner peace! It manifests in ugly ways! You are arrogant and overconfident.
- Altaïr: Were you not the one to say that nothing is true and everything is permitted?
- Al Mualim: You do not understand the true meaning of the phrase, my child. It does not grant you the freedom to do as you wish, it is a knowledge meant to guide your senses. It expects a wisdom you clearly lack!
- Altaïr: Then what is to become of me?
- Al Mualim: I should kill you for the pain you brought upon us. Malik thinks it only fair – your life in exchange for his brother's. But this would be a waste of my time and your talents. You'll see that you have been stripped of your possessions. Your rank as well. You are a novice, a child once more, as you were on the day you first joined our Order. I am offering you a chance at redemption. You'll earn your way back into the Brotherhood.
- Altaïr: I assume you've something planned.
- Al Mualim: First you must prove to me you remember how to be an Assassin.
- Altaïr: So you'd have me take a life?
- Al Mualim: No. Not yet, at least. For now you are to become a student once again.
- Altaïr: There is no need for this!
- Al Mualim: Others tracked your targets for you, but no more. From today on you will track them yourself.
- Altaïr: If this is what you wish.
- Al Mualim: It is.
- Altaïr: Then tell me what it is that I must do.
- Al Mualim: We have been betrayed. Someone was assisting Robert de Sablé. One of our own. You must find him and bring him here for questioning.
- Altaïr: What can you tell me of the traitor?
- Al Mualim: Ah, but that's just it. I've given you all I will. The rest is up to you.
Altaïr left the study and passed through the fortress' courtyard. An Informant was waiting for him near the gates.
- Informant: Safety and peace, Altaïr.
- Altaïr: You're in my way.
- Informant: Yes, Al Mualim has asked that I assist you. Remind you how it is we hunt our prey.
- Altaïr: I know how it works.
- Informant: Be that as it may, I have no desire to disobey.
- Altaïr: Then be quick!
- Informant: The Assassiyun have many tools at their disposal.
- Altaïr: Yes, yes. We can eavesdrop, we can pickpocket, or we can use violence to intimidate.
- Informant: Good, you remember.
- Altaïr: So you'd have me walk amongst the others and learn what I can about the traitor?
- Informant: Yes. Begin by going to the village market. That's where we first spotted the traitor.
- Altaïr: You know who it is?
- Informant: Perhaps.
- Altaïr: Then give me a name and let's be done with it.
- Informant: That's not the way it works. Now go, and remember: begin your search in the village market.
Altaïr explored the village and eventually found his target. Sitting down on a nearby bench to stay inconspicuous, he remained at a good distance to listen in on the conversation between two villagers.
- Villager 1: I know what I saw. Masun opened the gate. He let the Templars in!
- Villager 2: Then you must tell Al Mualim!
- Villager 1: I can't! Masun did not act alone. Someone inside the fortress helped him.
- Villager 2: What makes you say this?
- Villager 1: He exchanges letters with someone inside. The basket weaver carries them for him.
- Villager 2: That's no reason to stay silent.
- Villager 1: Ah! But the weaver delivered him a letter just before the attack. I suspect it held the order to open the gate.
- Villager 2: Then speak to the weaver! He can name Masun's accomplice!
- Villager 1: He's disappeared! Hiding for fear of being dragged into this!
- Villager 2: Ha! Probably inside of one of his own baskets!
Outcome[]
Altaïr discovered the identity of the traitor and the fact that he did not act alone.