the-secret-crusade-oliver-bowden

54
The bowman reached for his bow but in two strides Altaïr reached him,
swiping his blade in a wide arc that opened the man’s neck, slicing the
bow in half and shortening his headdress with one cut. There was a soft
clatter as the brigand’s bow dropped to the ground, followed by a thump
as his body joined it.
Altaïr – who had not known combat for two decades – stood with his
shoulders heaving, watching Bayhas and Long Hair as their expressions
changed from mocking to wary. At his feet the bowman was twitching
and gurgling, his blood blotted by the sand. Without taking his eyes
from Bayhas and Long Hair, Altaïr dropped to one knee and drove his
blade into him, silencing him. Fear was his greatest weapon now, he
knew. These men had youth and speed on their side. They were savage
and ruthless, accustomed to death. Altaïr had experience. He hoped it
would be enough.
Long Hair and Bayhas shared a look. They were no longer smiling.
For a moment the only sound around the waterhole was the soft
creaking of the rope on the branch of the fig tree, Mukhlis watching
everything upside down. His arms were untied and he wondered
whether to try and to get free but judged it better not to draw attention
to himself.
The two thugs moved apart, wanting to outflank Altaïr, who watched