A shrewd man, if Altaïr takes him at his word. More and more, he's glad their paths have crossed.

"It doesn't require a title, or even formal recognition," he says, shaking his head. "Philosophy is to do with the way one sees the world. The creed they live by. Wisdom can be found anywhere, shaped by the the mind it comes from and the society one lives in. It's rare that anyone has the chance to travel as far as we have coming here; I'd like to take advantage of that."

It is, perhaps, the most genuine enthusiasm Altaïr has displayed about anything since they met.