He sees the question coming, and he already knows his answer, but that doesn't stop him from pausing to consider his words. Perhaps that's a sign of how life here has changed him as well.

"I would leave," he says. "Not because of a difference of importance, but because of a different in need. I've told you what I left behind; upon the betrayal of our master, the danger is too great that our brotherhood could collapse without the efforts of those who would hold to our creed."

There's Malik, but Malik is just one man, and he has not seen all the things that Altaïr has. And, of course, there is the Apple.

"But that's what I would do. It should have no bearing on what would be right for you to do."