[Video] UN: التاير

[eaglesonofnone]

[The video opens on a blur of colour, the sound a brush of fabric against a microphone.]

--arts to record?

[Another voice chimes in, more distant, less audible, saying, "Yes. It's actually recording now."]

...Ah. Then I have begun this very poorly indeed.

[The image shifts, proving that there had been a finger partially in front of the camera. Even now, a part of the image is obscured by a white sleeve - but Altaïr's face becomes visible, as does Wanda's partially behind him. They're in a room in the town hall, well enough lit by a window, though the sun is starting to go down.]

Greetings to you all. As I know I have not met everyone, I shall introduce myself. I am Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. I am recording this today as a request for assistance.

I have been patrolling the edges of the village of the nights, alternating with the Iron Bull. After having read the codex of the village's history, I could not in good conscience do anything else. It occurred to me, though, that many of us here in the village are fighters, and while there is hunting to do, and many other things that can use a strong arm, many would be suited to helping the village stay protected.

What I propose is this:

A series of regular patrols, each one around the village's perimeter. Not only to watch for dangers from without, but also the condition of things within - if a home needs repair, for instance, or if an animal has wandered away.

Within this room--

[As he said that, the image swung, his wrist rotating to show the room - and it succeeded in doing so, albeit upside down. It was a meeting room, a table in the middle, chairs gathered around it, the walls bare.]

--I hope to have a map on that far wall. I will seek out slate and chalk that we may make temporary notations on findings such as animal tracks, or missing shingles as well as people claiming what patrol they wish to claim. For now, we will use this wall beside the door.

[Still upsidedown, the image swung again, over to the entrance of the room, where he pointed with his free hand at an empty space beside the door as Wanda tried to edge out of frame.]

I have a bit of charcoal that can be used for writing and the wall can be washed at the end of each week so people can alter their claimed patrols as they wish.

[He looked satisfied when the camera came back to him, confident in his arrangements so far.]

If even one soul adds to the effort, this will have been worthwhile. I am grateful to you all. Safety and peace.

[And at last, the video ends. It ends with a close-up of his fingertip, but it ends.]

Comments

[eaglesonofnone]

[Both English and feminine, he thought. And so he attempted an answer that would fit:] A pleasure to meet you, then, Shabbah.

[retributes]

And it's a pleasure to meet you as well. [ Again. ] An honor, really.

[eaglesonofnone]

[There are a few things to surmise from that. The name still gave him pause, but now the familiarity took on a different hue. She had heard of him. Howso, he didn't know as yet - and it made him wonder.]

Interesting of you to say such a thing. I assume you are from the future of my world.

[retributes]

I won't lie. I am. Far into the future.

[eaglesonofnone]

[Farther than Evie? He wondered.]

You are not the first, and likely not the last. I hope I live up to the honour you hold me to.

[retributes]

[ Definitely farther than Evie. ]

Not with how often people are arriving, no. And I’m sure you will. I’m from the year 2012.

[eaglesonofnone]

[That year. He stared for a long moment, bracing himself. His grandson, dead to save the world. Just the thought still pained him.]

Then you know.

[retributes]

[ She knew. She knew so much. ]

I know. I know about the Apple. I know about the Templars. The Brotherhood. Everything.

[eaglesonofnone]

Then I am sorry that you found yourself involved. It is a messy struggle which I wish had not been necessary.

[retributes]

I was never given much of a choice. But the struggle, it was more necessary than you realize.

[eaglesonofnone]

That would depend upon which struggle you mean. The one to save the world, yes. The one between Assassins and Templars - I wish it had not been needed.

[retributes]

That's war. There's going to always be opposing sides.

[eaglesonofnone]

I was born surrounded by war. I lived surrounded by war. I died surrounded by war. Is it so horrible to wish no other have such a life?

[retributes]

No. But history repeats itself no matter how hard we wish it wouldn't.

[eaglesonofnone]

That is unfortunately true.

[retributes]

It sucks. A lot. You would think that either side would learn but it's always about power, the choices that they can't agree on.

It's 2012 back home and things still aren't any better.

[eaglesonofnone]

All I have heard thus far has brought me great concern over the modern form of the Brotherhood. I fear it has lost its way. The Templars, I cannot speak of. All I knew of them was what Maria told me and what I found in the Ash-Shaam and Cyprus. It has been a very long time. But it is a lasting foible of mankind to desire power instead of the wellbeing of their fellow men.

[retributes]

The Brotherhood has changed a lot since you were first in charge. In some ways you could say it has lost its way. It just would've been good if both sides had worked together when it came to saving the world as a whole.

[eaglesonofnone]

For all the differences I have had with the Templars, I must agree on that point. However, human pride is a strong force, and I do not doubt many feared bruising said pride if such a partnership was entered into.

[retributes]

So is stupidity. Sometimes that trumps pride. It's selfish.

[eaglesonofnone]

Stupidity is pride in knowledge one thinks one has when, in truth, all one has is ignorance. Ignorance can be cured with information. Stupidity is more difficult.