Cairo, 1124
The same office that had been a hive of activity just one week before was now deserted. Operations had been suspended, tying up loose ends and wrapping up the mission was now nearly complete.
Most of his agents had left the city, only those on more long term assignments or part of the population had stayed. Hopefully the identity and mission of these agents would be protected for years to come. The work he had done here would, or could, if managed successfully allow for decades of ongoing surveillance and information.
Rather than leave himself, one last lead had to be followed up on. Normally he would not have stayed given the danger, but the risk did not outweigh the potential reward. This was literally a key witness as to whether elements of the Orthodox clergy were able to be confirmed as part of the overall mission.
Now, leaning against a wall in a late night market in the centre of Cairo the Saracen looking officer waited. The hair on the back of his neck clearly suggested the enemy was nearby. Never the less he waited, ignoring the tell tale signs of impending danger that would normally have him withdraw as fast as he could.
His eyes continued to scan the crowd. Looking for the person he had organised to meet.
Unfortunately, Apionnas was unaware that the crowd was scanning him too, at least, several members were. As a result of his mind being fixed on completing his task and getting the heck out of Cairo, he missed several key alarms that a more cautious person would easily pick up on.
A man, digging into a large watermelon, between bites staring at his mark, making sure he stayed put. A vendor, looking very out of place for somebody selling his wares in a generally Muslim city, hawking goods in only one direction. A figure, face and body obscured by a dark hooded cloak, merging with a shadow in an alley. A shopper, eternally browsing only a small section of the market, walking back and forth, conveniently in the exact same section that Apionnas was standing.
And so on.
They were, to a man, all more vigilant and watchful than their target, but of course, they were expected to be. Numbers and knowledge of their target were on their side. All they had to do was wait for the Saracen looking man to make his move and then they would be on him.
They had been watching him for months if not years, all collecting information on the man and his contacts, only confirming his identity a short while ago. They had let the man's agents go freely; after all, they were not the big prize. They knew nothing, and even if they did, it would be difficult for men of their standing to get their messages to the proper people.
Now, the true prize awaited and was near. An error was about to be corrected.
Pushing himself of the wall Apionnas recognised his man. A high level administrator in the Grand Vizier's office. Even just half and hour with him would confirm everything he had pieced together so far.
Steadily, he paced up behind his contact. He noted the man's fine robe and the dagger concealed beneath. At last, it was time to catch his prize.
Just then, a hand clamped on his shoulder. The grip was strong and powerful. Apionnas wheeled around, trying to get a good look at the hand's owner and shake him off, but before he had a chance more hands came out of nowhere, holding down his arms, blocking his mouth.
"Well well well, a Greek Senator in Cairo even before the Crusade has hit," a voice said. "I'm sure His Eminence will be very interested to know what you're doing down here, especially considering your... history."
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