"Arado," he repeated, an effort to commit the name to memory. "I am Altaïr, son of Umar. And 'shabbah' means-- I have seldom had reason to use the English word. I only had sons. It is a respectful way to address a woman that is not a girl but still young. And I would like something for my throat, I think - but I have no means to pay or trade."

He would have to find something. Given the surroundings, he had reason to think he could hunt, or perhaps--

Perhaps he was here to teach. To teach in exchange for room and board - that, he was sure he could do.