More than once Altaïr has thought that what the Summoned had in common was really the lack of any shared, unifying creed. Other times he's seen it exactly as Claude puts into words now. Truly, it's difficult to name any of them who do not have a certain strength of belief.

"As am I." For Claude, and for others he's been able to forge a bond with. He smiles. "It was only a short time before my summoning that I was able to humble myself enough to open up to others with trust. I've told you the story."

He'd been an arrogant man closed off to others, too bright a star that was cast down from the heavens to land on the earth and forced to understand what was important.

"I'd thought the opportunity lost to me when I found myself among strangers. I am very glad to have been wrong."