FICTIONS: A Tour of the City of Assassins
Kyla Ward
“[Zdrastvuitye]! Salām and hello! And welcome everyone aboard our Scorpion Tour Bus! My name is Zenka and I will be your guide on today’s tour of New Alamut or, as it is more colourfully known, the City of Assassins.
“Now, a few things before we start. We have in this bus today Russian speakers, Arabic, English – any others? What is it you say, sir? I do not understand you. You do not understand me, in Russian, Arabic or English? I am intrigued as to how you have got this far, sir. Just sit – yes, that’s right. Everyone should remain seated while the bus is moving. I ask that you be patient while I am not speaking your language. Remember, I must say everything three times! And when we get out of the bus at the various points of interest, please keep up with the group and do not wander. This is very important. With that said, let us away!
“New Alamut has a rich and fascinating history, starting in the year 1256 C.E. when the army of Monke Khan destroyed the fortress of Alamut in what is now Northern Iran. Why did he do such a thing? Monke Khan was grandson of Genghis Khan, and these Khans they destroy everything in their path. But also, Alamut was the stronghold of the Old Man of the Mountains and he was the man who created the first assassins! Now, who were these assassins? Contrary to what is commonly believed, they were not people who kill for money. They were a religious sect who retreated to Alamut to escape persecution for their beliefs. In this, they obeyed their spiritual leader, the Old Man, who also ordered their young men to infiltrate the houses of his enemies, both Islamic sultans and Christian kings, and to kill them. This they did very well. When this became known, some of the kings sent the Old Man money so he would not kill them. But no one thought to kill Monke Khan until it was too late! And so the first assassins were destroyed.
“But not all of them were young men, some were young women. The army of Monke Khan took the young women with them when they left. The founder of New Alamut we say is one of these women, Yasmina. In our legend, she speaks to the other women, saying, we are not slaves, we are wives, and therefore we must help our husbands. And so one man finds that his commanding officer dies of indigestion and he takes his place. Another man has to share the booty taken on a raid, but all the other men die. Of indigestion. And the men realize this is all due to their wives. So, it happens that these men and women do not stay with the army of Monke Khan. They have to leave. Because many men die and the others, they stop eating! They turn north and travel here to the Caucasus.
“Our first stop of the day is the magnificent Old Palace. You can see the walls now, red through the pine trees. The palace has always been red, though when we join the Soviet Socialist Republic it is certainly helpful. See on the top of the walls the great, stone scorpions with their claws raised high? In times gone by, they supported the gibbets where they put the enemies of the queen. We have only two gibbets remaining now, and these you may see on either side as we pass through the main gate. Now we get out to see the palace. Yes sir, you too.”
THE THRONE OF SKULLS
Ruling seat of the Yasmina, constructed primarily between the 13th and 16th centuries C.E. The base and niches are comprised of locally quarried red marble. Each skull represents a default on payments. Dismantled for protection during the Soviet era, the Throne has been reconstructed in its penultimate form, despite requests for the repatriation of individual components.
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH
“Yes, it is an awesome sight. There is a little proverb they have in Armenia, “he who dreads not the Throne of Skulls has never lost a relative.” That is a rough translation, anyway; but yes, you have noticed that the queen is called the Yasmina. While we have a queen, always she is Yasmina, and here in this hall she keeps her state. Standing here, it is easy to imagine the grandeur of those old days. The courtiers in red, the serving assassins in black, heaping the tribute of the world before the queen in her scorpion crown and humble but traditional robe of skin. They maintained the traditions of the first Alamut; but in hiding, for from the earliest days it was agreed that no outsider may know the location of the new Alamut and live. For three centuries this continued, until there was a dreadful misunderstanding. This I tell you about, but first, please follow me around behind the throne. Come along and keep together! Walk this way!”
THE HALL OF SCREAMS
Built in the 14th century C.E. this linked series of chambers was used for the training of assassins. Training was rigorous and the hall’s traditional name is held to derive from this use. The domed vaults and tiled drainage channels demonstrate a strong Persian influence.
The wax tableaux represent some of the techniques said to have been practised by the assassins of New Alamut.
1. The Bed of Blades. 5. Worm in the Ear.
2. The Bath of the Scorpion. 6. Nasal Irrigation.
3. The Iris Key. 7. Inflation.
4. Severance. 8. Recitation to the dulcimer.
Music, singing and storytelling were vital components of classical assassin training. During the closed city period, this was the way that the knowledge of New Alamut, essential to the tribute system, was spread throughout the known world. New Alamut’s cultural heroine, the 18th century poet Kalinka, is held to be the spiritual heir of these early assassins.
“In the sixteenth century there are twin sisters in New Alamut, heirs to the throne. Each is a fully trained assassin. So when the Yasmina their mother dies suddenly, of very bad indigestion, assumptions are made and soon the whole city is fighting. And this is very bad. People die in every one of the ways you see around you, and some starve from not eating and go mad from not sleeping. At last, the sisters agree to talk.
“Now, of all the classical methods of assassination, the most fearful is known as the Four Seasons of Death. This involves exposing the victim to agents that only become dangerous in their combination. One might be a dust inhaled in the street, another a metal substituted for a wedding band , another drunk in a glass of wine. The assassin may well share this with her victim, knowing that in the absence of the other elements, she is safe. Then, with a note sung at precisely the right pitch – the man is dead, and no one shall ever trace the means. The assassin who can achieve this is a true mistress of the art. Unfortunately, both princesses are, resulting in this tableau – madam, you are faint? Quickly then, follow the passage down to your left. A terrible end, and the end also of the royal line. The story does not find its real end until nearly five hundred years later, when the body of the last Yasmina is examined using modern methods. Then they find she really did die of an ulcer.
“Our way out is down this passage, which opens into the beautiful Palace Gardens where are to be found many rare and fascinating plants. Obviously, you should not touch them either.
“Here we are back on the Scorpion Tour Bus… but does anyone see the lady who was faint? Did anyone see her in the garden? Oh dear. I must ask you all to wait while I go back and check with the palace attendants. I shall not be long.
“Sorry, so sorry to keep you all, we will leave now and go on to our next destination. Oh, but we must, otherwise we fall behind schedule! Do not worry, the attendants will take care of the lady.”
[ZHIHLUDAK] SQUARE
“We park here so you may enjoy the walk across the Square with its many fine buildings old and new. The many stalls – oh, the name? That is Russian for the stomach. Just a custom of the old days. These stalls with the pretty red balloons are locals selling their handicrafts. Now, although it is legal to buy these, we have found in the past there are often problems when people try to take their purchases home. The blow guns, for instance, and the aromatherapy kits. In fact, for those of you wishing a memento of your visit, I can make no better suggestion than our cuddly Scorpion Tours mascot who is available back at the terminal.
“Has anyone seen the man who speak none of my languages? Is anyone travelling with him? No, but you think he is deaf? That would explain things, I suppose: oh, but I’m sure he has simply remained behind on the bus. The driver will look after him.
“No sir, none of these buildings are mosques, nor churches. Some are administrative, and that one with the scorpion design is the hospital. But all were built to harmonise with this building, that encapsulates so well the tremendous change that came over New Alamut in the eighteenth century under the guidance of our greatest daughter since Yasmina herself: the poet-assassin Kalinka.”
THE HOTEL NEW ALAMUT
The first of several facilities making use of assassin expertise for humanitarian purposes, that were built in major cities during the 19th century. It is the only one to ever operate openly. The red marble façade with balconies and French windows shows an increasingly important European influence. It was the first building in New Alamut to be lit by natural gas.
Upon the opening of New Alamut to the world in 1800 C.E. the hotel serviced many dignitaries, and increasing numbers of artists and poets. In 1931, the hotel became the headquarters of the regional Communist Party and much damage was done by conversion of suites to offices. A corridor in the east wing has been left in this condition for historical reference, while the rest has been restored to its original grandeur.
“… full many a time,
Hearkening to my victim’s breath,
I have been half in love with easeful Death,
Knowing full well that the early grave,
Which men deplore, may be meant to save.”
- Kalinka, ‘Graze Eerily in a Chechnyan Charnelhouse’
“Oh my goodness Madam, are you alright! I think it is a little dusty here – you have an allergy, Madam? Then quickly, let us get through. I shall speak to the attendants; it is very careless of them. But come along everyone, let us all come through. Yes, it is clearer here in the lobby. Is quite a sight, yes? I myself am particularly fond of the chandeliers.
“Now, after the death of the last Yasmina, New Alamut was ruled by a council of experienced assassins who survived the electoral process, and things continued much as they had been before. And for a time, this sufficed. They saw, from time to time, travellers at the gates, seeking new trade routes or unconquered territory, and those unfortunate souls were never seen again. But our forebears realised that more would inevitably come.
“Although she has been imitated widely, the original works of Kalinka are preserved here in New Alamut. Reading them is an education, I assure you! In her time she travelled the world on many occasions and resolved the paradox that had engaged our thinkers since the founding. We assassins have a greater understanding of death than any other people in recorded history, and yet our success and fortune are founded on not killing.
“Well obviously! You have only to think – how can a man pay who is dead? And soon, it was realised, that to maintain our city’s secrecy would no longer be possible. What then would happen? Would there come another Monke Khan? Or worse? Kalinka enabled us to take that step ourselves and to our great advantage. Her genius was that she realised how to make the threat of death an invitation.”
19th CENTURY BLEEDING CHAIR
Ebony wood with gold and steel inlay in scorpion designs. The act of reclining punctures veins in the arms and legs, siphoning the blood through channels and into hygienic collection pans concealed in the base. The chair is designed to provide comfortable support during the procedure, which is said to be painless and to have a distancing effect, especially when combined with the use of hashish.
“Sir, please! You must remember that all such clients came here of their own free will, and paid handsomely for the privilege. For those suffering tuberculosis, cancers and ennui, the Hotel provided all possible comforts; servants, musicians, dancing, wining and dining. Which reminds me, who here has booked for tonight’s traditional banquet?
“Well obviously we do not do this today; no more than we ransom the lives of kings! And yes, I know the rumours of what happened in the old Soviet Union. They were troubled times. Sometimes change can be a gentle thing, more often it is not. But always we continue. Always we find some way to maintain our heritage…
“The Russian lady just asked if we got Trotsky. I tell her and you, no. As if one of us would, under any circumstances, resort to an ice axe! And if you were going to mention the Romanovs, please do not. Come now, it is time we were moving on to our next destination. Wāltid, itnein, talāta… oh no, now someone else is missing!
“Has anyone seen the lady who was coughing? She left the building? She went shopping? Oh dear, that could be very unfortunate – wait, I will call the attendants.
“Please do not be alarmed! Always the attendants are here, you are just not meant to see them. But now I must ask you to wait with this gentleman while I go looking for our friend. Perhaps as a favour he will allow his photo to be taken, wearing his traditional mask?
“Sorry, again so sorry! The attendants shall keep looking for her and for the deaf man; oh no, our driver has brought the bus around and she has not seen him. No, we must continue on, we are now running very late and there are other buses coming behind us. If they can, the attendants will bring the others to join us. Back on board now, double-time!”
“As we drive, you can see that today New Alamut is a modern city with modern industries. We farm furs, we have rich reserves of natural gas and very successful pharmaceutical companies. To this, tourism is only a recent addition. Not everyone was in favour of opening our city to tourists, but I am happy to say, such groups as you have changed all minds!
“The road we travel now is the same that you travelled to reach us through the mountains. Not an easy journey, no, even today. This road now takes us up to the Natural Park, and here I think we answer many questions that you have during the tour. You have a question, sir? I trust you have calmed down, after what you said at the Hotel.
“How is it we manage to live with ourselves when in our past there are so many terrible things? Well now. I think much depends on the perspective you have. I might say some things about the history of the British Empire. I might say other things in Russian, or Arabic. But I shall not. Instead, I shall ask you, sir, why is it you came here?”
NEW ALAMUT NATURAL PARK
WORLD HERITAGE AREA
No hunting permitted.
“Ah, smell the air! It is good, yes? Even in the Caucasus, it is rare to find a place so unspoiled. This park is the last refuge of many of the mountain animals; bears, leopards, wild boar and yes madam, as you say, the scorpion. In fact, the Caucasian mountain scorpion is a shy little creature who hides under rocks. Please try not to disturb any rocks as you walk.
“It is getting warmer, yes? You can feel it? That is because we are nearing New Alamut’s spiritual heart. The reason that our founders build their city in this place and no other. We have come to the hot springs. I warn you, leave the path under no circumstances. If you look closely, you may see small flames flickering here and there amongst the rocks. This is due to the venting of gas from reservoirs deep below the surface. Please do not be alarmed if your eyes sting a little. The fumes will cause you no harm, but I cannot promise the same for the fire!
“Is this not a remarkable sight! The red and purple crystals are caused by the deposit of minerals dissolved in the water, which tradition invests with many marvellous properties. On the one hand, it is said to cure leprosy and syphilis: on the other, it causes very, very bad indigestion and blindness.
“It was the effect of the water on dead tissue that made our forebears consider this place. There is a spot where, if you look carefully, you may see a whole sabretooth tiger perfectly preserved, though colourful. Shortly after settlement, this place was reserved for the interment of the royal line and those very great and revered assassins who died of old age. And yes, those are the shapes you see. Every single one.
“This is how we discover the secret of the last Yasmina, though perhaps not in quite the way you think. This is the resting place of Kalinka, her genius crystallised forever. Look well. Breathe deep. For I know the true reason you come to our city.
“There are some things it is not easy to face. Even to think about. Some of you may say to me, we travel to find adventure. Or, we travel to see something new in this tiny city, which even when the world knew of it, so many would not acknowledge was there. But the fact is, you come to our city because only here may you confront your own death.
“Go on then, you have travelled all this way. You can lean a little closer. Out over the railing. Look at him, who lies so close below us. Who was he? Sssh now, only listen and he will tell you himself. Breathe in and you will hear him. Yes, that’s right. That’s right…”
NEW ALAMUT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
We hope you remember your stay!
“Ah, so you have come back to us! How are you feeling? You gave us all quite a scare!
“You collapsed on the observation deck above the Hot Springs. You were brought straight here and, it appears, successfully revived. Now, the doctors want me to ask you, do you have any existing heart problem? For your heart did stop for a short time.
“Oh no, the doctors assure me you are perfectly stable now. But you must remain here a while under observation. Why, do you feel uneasy? Perhaps it is that red is not the colour you associate with hospital wards. Perhaps you think nurses should not be garbed in black?
“If you look around, you will see you are not alone. You may recognise a number of our party who got nowhere near the Springs. I assure you, all are resting comfortably. There are so many little things that can interrupt a holiday. But you have no heart problem, you suffer no fits? Well then, answer me this: when we passed by the Throne of Skulls, did you touch it?
“I thought as much. There is always one.
“Why, nothing. Except a little oxidation – they are, after all, very old. But I assure you, that is as harmless as the fumes over the Hot Springs. Or the dust at the New Alamut Hotel. Or the flowers in the garden, or the souvenirs sold in the market – all are quite, quite harmless.
“Now calm down, you are in shock. It is understandable. But what, really, can you be thinking? Would you repeat to me tales of mistress assassins and murders achieved by the conjunction of elements – impossible, obviously! The doctors would all tell you that. Here they come now, and you must submit to their examination. For the truth is, death has always begrudged us its secrets. Always there is something more to learn. In time, and with the crystals, who knows what we may be able to achieve!
“Come, come my friend! It has been an experience, yes? Think of the story you will tell when you return to your home! Of course, I like to think that all our guests take a little of New Alamut away with them. My name is Zenka, and it has been my pleasure to escort you. [Da sridaniya], ma’as salāna, and farewell.”
—/—
Copyright © Kyla Ward 2009
Kyla Ward is a Sydney-based writer who works in many modes. Her co-authored novel *Prismatic* (released in 2006 under the name ‘Edwina Grey’) won an Aurealis Award for Best Horror. Her short fiction has appeared in Aurealis, Shadowed Realms, Borderlands, Gothic.net and in the Agog! anthologies, among others. Her work on RPGs including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Demon: The Fallen saw her appear as a guest at the inaugural Gencon Australia.
Poetry, feature articles, scripts; if you can put bats in it, she probably has. To see some very strange things, go to http://www.tabula-rasa.info
About “A Tour of the City of Assassins”
I began this story shortly after ending a coach tour through Spain and Portugal. Make of this what you will.
