the-secret-crusade-oliver-bowden

thing being that the Assassins had a leader, the second that they were
not in the habit of running from Templars. He stood and pulled her to
her feet. Glaring at him, she brushed herself down.
‘The Apple is well hidden,’ he told her, thinking that in fact it was
not. It remained in his quarters.
‘Altaïr, consider your options carefully. The Templars would pay a
great price for that relic.’
‘They already have, haven’t they?’ said Altaïr, leading her away.
Moments later, he had gathered with his Assassins, the battle on the
harbour over, Acre port theirs. Among them was Jabal, who raised his
eyebrows at the appearance of Maria and waved for two Assassins to
take her away before he joined Altaïr.
‘What’s happening on Cyprus that would concern the Templars?’
mused Altaïr, as they strode along. He had already decided their next
destination and there was no time to waste.
‘Civil strife, perhaps?’ said Jabal, palms spread. ‘Their emperor Isaac
Comnenus picked a fight with King Richard many months ago, and now
he rots in a Templar dungeon.’
Altaïr thought. ‘A pity. Isaac was so easily bent, so willing to take a
bribe.’
They stopped at the harbour steps and Maria was led past them, her
chin held high.
‘Those days are past,’ Jabal was saying. ‘Now the Templars own the
island, purchased from the King for a paltry sum.’
‘That’s not the kind of governance we want to encourage. Have we
any contacts there?’ asked Altaïr.
‘One in Limassol. A man named Alexander.’