[The personality Hilda ascribes to him is a story itself, but at the same time it's a true one. His curiosity has gotten him into trouble more than once, but he can't say he regrets where it led him.]

So let us go.

[The bandit's gaze snaps to Altaïr and he tenses, as if he expects them to make a break for it while still behind bars.]

Unless you plan to kill us? But that would be harder to explain to your companions. If we managed to 'escape', that's just us being clever. Bodies can be examined.

"True enough. But maybe my explanation would be good enough." [He frowns, but doesn't yet move to attack or to free them.] "If I weren't the only one to see that you being here isn't worth the money."