[Malik let out a huff of a breath at the realization he wasn't alone, nowhere near the irritated sound Altaïr's voice would trigger when they were younger. It almost sounded bemused, and as he turned to the dark corner Altaïr stepped out of his tone went dry.]

To think, even as the lord of this great keep you still take to skulking about. I'm uncertain if I find this a relief or not. [With that his tone grew more solemn- no, a little more tired- as he stepped away from the desk to look out the large window.]

Just as we do now, brother. I do not doubt our path, then or now, though it is a strange thing to fill the roles of those I always thought of as untouchable. [He glances to Altaïr, lips quirked humorlessly.] Though you understand that far more than I now, don't you Grandmaster?