the-secret-crusade-oliver-bowden

Maria piped up from behind them: ‘And we can certainly trust the
Assassins to put the Apple, the Piece of Eden, to better use …’
Altaïr suppressed a smile but ignored her, saying to Alexander,
‘Where are the Templars holed up now?’
‘In Limassol Castle, but they’re expanding their reach.’
That had to be stopped, thought Altaïr.
‘And how do I get inside?’ he asked.
Alexander told him about Osman, a Templar whose sympathies lay
with the Cypriot Resistance. ‘Kill the captain of the guard,’ he said. ‘With
him dead it’s likely Osman will be promoted to the post. And if that
happens, well, you could walk straight in.’
‘It’s a start,’ said Altaïr.
As he moved through the streets of the city he marvelled at how quiet
it was. As he walked, he thought of Maria and the Apple. He had
brought it with him, of course – it remained in the cabin of his ship. Had
it been foolish, perhaps, to bring the Treasure into such close proximity
with the enemy? Only time would tell.
At the marketplace he located the Templar captain of the guard, who
had kindly made himself easy to spot, wearing a red tunic over
chainmail and looking as imperious as a king. Altair looked around,
seeing other guards in the vicinity. He lowered his head, drawing no
attention to himself, avoiding the gaze of a guard who watched him with
narrowed, suspicious eyes. When he passed on, he did so looking for all
the world like a scholar. Then, very carefully, he began to work his way
around, manoeuvring himself to the rear of the captain, who stood at the
other end of the lane, barking orders at his men. Apart from the captain
and now his killer, the lane was empty.