ON HIS WATCH II

They had been raised in a tough region with hostile Muslim neighbors who could not hesitate to strike their community down at the slightest sign of weakness. This forced them to become hardy and well-versed in warfare.

"FIRE!" Commander Gallo gave the order once the enemies entered their optimum firing range.

A volley of arrows left their bows and arched skywards into the heavens before adjusting themselves with the help of gravity and raining down in the midst of their foes from Masyaf now led by Rashid Abubakar.

Some arrows missed, embedding themselves in the parched earth, but others struck true. Horses reared and screamed; men toppled from saddles with guttural cries. Four Brotherhood warriors fell, their bodies crashing lifelessly into the sand.

"Again!" Commander Gallo Francis barked at the archers. "You can do better than this, I need to see more blood."