There's a level of understanding that can only come with direct familiarity of a world, but Altaïr is at least familiar enough with war and human nature to understand what Claude means, and how that affects him now.

"A road not taken, right at your feet when you were summoned away from it," he says. "Yes. I know that feeling. The timing of the loss is as significant as the loss itself."

Having made a decision, that decision was promptly taken from Claude's hands. Altaïr knows the cost of war and he knows that Claude and the Templars he killed were both right — war also heralds great change. The possible ramifications in Claude's homeland must be nearly endless.

"Tell me. Is there an outcome that would satisfy you? A particular door that if you knew for sure had opened, you would be able to rest easy and turn your full attention to the life you've built here?"