the-secret-crusade-oliver-bowden

Even now the village blacksmith forges them for me.’
Respectful villagers moved out of their way. All knew of Altaïr now,
and here, in the foothills of the fortress at least, he was the Master once
again.
‘And you say there are others in the castle loyal to me?’ said Altaïr.
‘There are as many who hate Abbas as serve him. More so, now that I
have been reporting on what I have seen in the village. News that the
great Altaïr has returned is spreading slowly but surely.’
‘Good,’ said Altaïr. ‘And could these supporters be persuaded to rally,
so that we might march upon the castle?’
The young Malik stopped and looked at Altaïr, squinting as though to
check the older man wasn’t joking. Then he grinned. ‘You mean to do it.
You really mean to do it. When?’
‘The brigand Fahad will be bringing his men into the village soon,’ he
said. ‘We need to be in control before that happens.’