Solomon Bolden

Solomon "Solo" Bolden (died 1805), better known as the Black Cross, was a Templar agent active during the early 19th century.
The inquisitor of the Inner Sanctum like all the Black Crosses before him, Bolden travelled all around the world to keep an eye on the Grand Masters of the various Rites, to verify that they followed the Templar Code and if necessary to eradicate any corrupt Templars he could find.
==Biography==
In 1805, Bolden posed as a slaver sailing to Tripoli in order to buy slaves, while in fact he was planning to rescue his predecessor, Tavis Olier, who was believed to be dead while he was in fact kept prisoner in the city dungeon. During the crossing of the Mediterranean Sea on the Painted Lady, Bolden dispatched pirates sent after him by the Sultan Selim III and "befriended" Jan van der Graff, a Belgian agent of Napoleon Bonaparte supposedly sent to Tripoli to acquire precious fabrics. The two men made a pact; Bolden would protect van der Graff during his mission and the latter would use his contacts to help the Black Cross enter the palace.Assassin's Creed: Templars – Issue #06
Once in the port city of Derna, the two men rode camels to Tripoli, where they eventually met with van der Graff's contacts in a local tavern. There, Edmund, a deserter marine, and Ahkbar, a shady local, revealed to them the existence of a secret underground tunnel used by the Sultans to discreetly smuggle precious cargo into the palace. Following the departure of their companions, Bolden and van der Graff bonded over several drinks with the former trying to learn what "the diamond" mentioned by Edmund was, when they were interrupted by Edmund being shot by guards on the street.Assassin's Creed: Templars — Issue #07
Later, they entered the tunnel after van der Graff picked the gate's lock, but were confronted by several men waiting for them. During the brawl, Ahkbar, who was in fact an agent of the Sultan, stabbed Bolden in the back. With his dying breath, Bolden told van der Graff to find Tavis Olier, the Black Cross.
==Legacy==
Eventually, van der Graff escaped his captivity three years later, after being trained and inducted into the Order by Olier during their imprisonment together. During his escape, the Templar recovered the Koh-i-Noor before taking a boat for America, where he intended to inform Solomon's widow of her husband's fate. At some point, Jan van der Graff fathered a child with her, carrying on the name of the Boldens.Assassin's Creed: Templars – Issue #09
==Skills and equipment==
Solomon was a highly skilled swordsman, easily beheading the pirate captain sent to kill him as well as besting at least one of the Sultan's royal guards. His skill was noted by van der Graff, who believed these skills would help him get into the palace. He also appeared to possess highly developed reflexes once catching a knife thrown at van der Graff mere inches from his face.
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed: Templars
==References==
Category:1805 deaths
Category:Individuals
Category:Templars
Category:Black Crosses
Category:Bolden family
Category:Americans
Category:American Templars