[The Highlander]

Actually, from two sources that I've read (Marco Polo [semi-fiction] and an historical fiction novel), the dagger descriptions were very similar; double-edged, diamond sectional profile, perfectly balanced, damscus blade, narrow in relation to it's length, semi-precious or ornate grip marked with engravings of assassins at work or religious writings, and with the seal of the Hashishin (heart pierced by points at top and bottom, supposedly a derivative of the Masonic emblem, the points representing the compass and square). As stated earlier, since most of his disciples were killed following their assignments, he wanted to be sure there was a "signature". I have also read the account of the dagger in the pillow as a warning.

I've also read that the Hashishin had one of the most complete libraries in the Middle East at the time of Baybar's conquest, and that it included names, dates, methods, recipes for poisins, and even foreign texts on martial arts and weapon-craft, all of which Baybar felt would be better destroyed. Makes you wonder what was lost to history? That's why I'm writing on this particular topic (or trying to).

I've already written a thesis on the Mamluk culture, which is itself fascinating as it also involved indoctrinating captured children and "growing" a warrior culture with total obedience to the "state". For anyone who hasn't read it, I highly recommend "Soldier of Fortune" by Sir J.B. Glubb, the last true British commander of the famed Arab Brigade and a devoted "Arabophile". He's discounted by many British scholars because of this, but he's still the only senior military man since T.E. Lawrence to learn the language and live with his troops and try and pass down the tales of the Beduins and their forefathers in an historical perspective. So much of the other literature on the Arab/Persian/Turkish dynasties has been written by their conqueror's that it's been somewhat "sanitized".

Bill